FLEXIB.EL | PEACE TIME | 2013

How can we encourage people to adapt their use of electricity to the available power on the grid? The Flexib.El project aimed at designing interactive artifacts able to foster a more flexible use of electricity in the smart grid scenario. The designed solutions create engaging sensory experiences by informing users about the electricity available on the grid in an unconventional and emotional way.

I performed research on users’ habits in electricity usage, brainstorming sessions, concept design and prototyping. The “Peace Time” project was tested with users in their domestic environments. (Interactive Institute Swedish ICT)

User research + analysis + concept design + prototyping

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THE PEACE TIME PROJECT

Peaks (high load) on the electricity smart grid are conveyed to users as positive moments, in which users are invited to carry out non-electrical activities, i.e. to take on a peaceful rest, or a “peace time”. A negative concept (”do not use electricity”) is thus turned into a pleasant opportunity to take care of both one’s wellbeing and the environment, by performing peaceful and relaxing activities (e.g. work out, read a book, meet one’s friends). The communication is performed by a dynamic product consisting of a hanging nest and a few birds, metaphorically linked to the idea of nature and environment.

The artifact displays the arrival of the peace time (15 minutes before it starts) and its duration in real-time. To let the user plan his activities in advance, a mobile app is combined to the dynamic product. The user can consult it to know when future Peace Times will occur, to schedule their electricity-free activities.

 
The nest releases smell into evironment when a peace time is starting (15 minutes in advance). Birds dislocated into the house (or in the nest) emit peaceful tweeting sounds to alert the user that a peace time will start in 5 minutes. When the peace…

The nest releases smell into evironment when a peace time is starting (15 minutes in advance). Birds dislocated into the house (or in the nest) emit peaceful tweeting sounds to alert the user that a peace time will start in 5 minutes. When the peace time starts, the nest moves down to show the duration of the time. During the peace time the nest slowly moves up to show the remaining time.