Sam Hubble

Cardiff University

Current Position
PhD Researcher

Research Interests
PhD thesis on Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Electricity Supply, Consumption and Demand Reduction. Innovative ways need to be found of fostering a transition to low carbon, secure, affordable energy systems. Efforts need to focus not only on low carbon forms of energy production, but on ways by which people can reduce their energy consumption in everyday life, including in the home. The project is linked to the EPSRC ‘Top and Tail’ Grand Challenge Network, whilst additionally drawing upon concepts and methodologies being developed with the ESRC ‘Energy Biographies’ project.

Duration of your PhD
Jan 2012 - Dec 2014

Thesis's Supervisor
Professor Nick Pidgeon; Professor Karen Henwood

Funder
EPSRC 'Top and Tail' Studentship

My Thesis' Abstract
Understanding the Dynamics of Domestic Electricity Supply, Consumption and Demand Reduction 

Innovative ways need to be found of fostering a transition to low carbon, secure, affordable energy systems. Efforts need to focus not only on low carbon forms of energy production, but on ways by which people can reduce their energy consumption in everyday life, including in the home. The project is linked to the EPSRC ‘Top and Tail’ Grand Challenge Network, whilst additionally drawing upon concepts and methodologies being developed with the ESRC ‘Energy Biographies’ project.

Objectives:
The research will address the following two objectives:

  1. To investigate the ways consumers currently understand and interact with their existing electricity supply system in the home, and map the material, cultural and psychological benefits that this has for them (warmth, comfort, communications, identity, food, leisure etc.).
  2. To study the social acceptability of future step-changes in electricity network provision, and the implications of this for electricity network design, focusing upon both individual household and community interventions and their acceptance.

Efforts will also be made to understand:

  • How energy consumption develops and changes over time
  • How to create acceptable trajectories towards the use of changed energy services and technologies as part of sustainable lifestyles and communities.

Research Methods:
A two step design will be adopted. In the first part of the project (to meet objective 1) data will be collected from extended qualitative interviews in the home with general public volunteers and from communities with different patterns of current energy use.  In the second part (to meet objective 2) repeat interviews will be conducted based upon materials and scenarios developed with Top and Tail network partners describing Top and Tail future network changes and investigating areas of both acceptability and concern.  

Contact information