Abstract

This research project aims to study, construct, and implement a physical form of behavioral intervention that incites the more efficient use of energy at Carthage College. Carthage is in the 90th percentile for energy consumption compared to peer institutions, demonstrating an opportunity to significantly increase energy efficiency — partially through changes in infrastructure, but focused primarily on the behaviors of energy consumers at the College. This type of intervention came in the form of an “energy dashboard,” designed to give viewers comprehensible, visual knowledge of the electricity being consumed on campus throughout the day, including a real-time line graph of energy usage in five-minute increments, historical consumption charts, power plant and carbon dioxide emissions maps, and monthly average vs. current emissions graphs. The visual data is accompanied with informational “bubbles” that explain various ways to reduce electricity consumption and the benefits associated with it. As of now, the dashboards are complete and ready to be displayed on screens across campus. The implementation date of the dashboards — which will rely on the IT and LIS departments at Carthage — is to be determined. Instead, we will report on the theories of data graphics and visualization that went behind the dashboard, as well as elements of environmental psychology and environmental economics that are meant to inspire behavioral change.