ALIGN4Energy

Due to the significant information, coordination, and transaction costs that individuals and citizen collectives face, the energy transition in residential structures takes a very long time. At the same time, policymakers are expected to coordinate a complicated process that determines the overall effectiveness of the new energy system and the cost of decarbonization. ALIGN4energy aims to address both challenges through eight work packages. It does so by:

Mapping citizens’ preferences and investment barriers in a transdisciplinary manner;

Modeling how certain investments will affect the efficiency of the entire energy system;

Creating an adaptive digital decision-support system (the SAMEN-platform) for citizens and policymakers that optimizes investments at the individual and energy system levels while also providing users with customized information and planning;

Co-developing and systematically field- testing participation mechanisms, citizen engagement tactics, and behavioral interventions to encourage investments.

Working towards a climate-neutral country in 2050 requires making energy use in homes more sustainable and ending the dependence on natural gas. An interdisciplinary consortium will work on solutions to accelerate this energy transition in the residential sector as part of the ALIGN4Energy program. It does so by supporting citizens, policymakers, and energy system developers to synchronize investment timelines, interests, and preferences.