Estimating Peak Time Flexibility

Last registered on March 21, 2023

View Trial History

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title

Estimating Peak Time Flexibility

RCT ID

AEARCTR-0011100

Initial registration date

March 15, 2023

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published

March 21, 2023, 3:39 PM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Locations

Country

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Region

Primary Investigator

Name

Robert Metcalfe

Affiliation

University of Southern California

Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

Additional Trial Information

Status

In development

Start date

2023-03-14

End date

2023-05-31

Keywords

Environment & Energy

Additional Keywords

JEL code(s)

Secondary IDs

Prior work

This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.

Abstract

Estimating the ability of UK residents to provide flexibility to the energy grid. We will randomize notice periods and price levels to reduce or shift energy use from peak times for the grid.

External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation

Metcalfe, Robert. 2023. "Estimating Peak Time Flexibility ." AEA RCT Registry. March 21. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.11100-1.0

Sponsors & Partners

Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

Intervention Start Date

2023-03-14

Intervention End Date

2023-05-31

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)

Energy use between 18:30 - 19:30 UK time. We will also examine the energy use in other time periods either side of this one hour to understand peak shaving versus peak shifting.

Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)

Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Hidden

Experimental Design Details

Control Group = Receive intraday email, 11am-4pm ish on the day of the saving session, with standard incentive (£2.25 per kWh reduction). Approximately 520,000 households in this group.

Treatment Group 1 = Receive day-ahead "heads up" email. This email will outline that we think there will be a saving session event tomorrow, and they should keep a look out for it. They then receive the intraday email and standard incentive as control group. There are 20,000 households in this group, randomly assigned (on account id).

Treatment Group 2 = 10,000 households randomly assigned - additional SMS reminder intraday (on top of control condition). No change in price.

Treatment Group 3 = Receive intraday email, with higher incentive (£3.55/kWh reduction). 10,000 households in this group, randomly assigned and different from Treatment Group 1.

The Saving Session is on March 15th at 18:30 - 19:30 UK time.

Randomization Method

Random number generator of account ID.

Randomization Unit

Individual household.

Was the treatment clustered?

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters

N/A

Sample size: planned number of observations

Control Group = Approximately 520,000 households in this group. Treatment 1 = 20,000 households. Treatment Group 2 = 10,000 households. Treatment Group 3 = 10,000 households. We will have 30 minute observations for all households prior and during the experiment.

Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms

See above.

Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)

Supporting Documents and Materials

IRB