FLEXIB.EL | the sound of energy | 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. (Interactive Institute Swedish ICT)
User research + analysis + concept design + prototyping
THE SOUND OF ENERGY
The sound of energy is an interactive 24-hour clock, composed of patches that represent each hour of the day. Patches give information about the upcoming state of the electricity grid hour by hour. When touching a patch, a sound is produced, which tells if that hour will be suitable/not suitable/strongly unsuitable for using electricity. Three sounds are associated to the three states of the grid, going from pleasant nature sounds to unpleasant noises.
Since there are patterns in the electricity grid load (e.g. very high-load hours usually go from 8 to 10 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m., in Sweden), patches are made of three different textiles, changing in roughness and size. The smoothest and smallest ones represent the usually ‘good’ hours, while the roughest and biggest ones represent the ‘bad’ hours. By repeatedly touching the wall, users can learn the hours in which it is usually better to avoid the use of electricity. Patches are designed to remind of CO2 particles, to remember users about CO2 emissions resulting from electricity production.
