Goal-setting: Encouraging peak-avoidance in electricity consumption

Last registered on July 16, 2024

Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title
Goal-setting: Encouraging peak-avoidance in electricity consumption
RCT ID
AEARCTR-0014004
Initial registration date
July 10, 2024

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
July 16, 2024, 3:29 PM EDT

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

Locations

Region

Primary Investigator

Affiliation
University of Leeds

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Affiliation
Beijing Jiaotong University
PI Affiliation
National University Of Singapore
PI Affiliation
Monash University

Additional Trial Information

Status
On going
Start date
2024-06-26
End date
2024-12-01
Secondary IDs
Prior work
This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.
Abstract
This study aims to understand the impact of goal-setting and monetary incentives on peak-avoidance behavior in electricity consumption. A randomized control trial will be conducted with various treatment groups receiving different interventions, including knowledge dissemination, goal-setting targets, and monetary incentives. The goal is to develop effective and sustainable interventions for shifting peak electricity usage among residential users.
External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation
Goette, Lorenz et al. 2024. "Goal-setting: Encouraging peak-avoidance in electricity consumption." AEA RCT Registry. July 16. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.14004-1.0
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Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)
Interventions:Receives messages via SMS every Wednesday for 8 weeks.
Control Group: Receives weather forecast information.
Knowledge Group: Receives knowledge message.
Goal Setting Group - 5%: Receives goal-setting messages aiming to shift peak hours electricity usage by 5%.
Goal Setting Group - 15%: Receives goal-setting messages aiming to shift peak hours electricity usage by 15%.
Goal Setting Group - 25%: Receives goal-setting messages aiming to shift peak hours electricity usage by 25%.
Monetary Incentive Group: Receives monetary incentive messages rewarding reductions in peak usage.
Intervention (Hidden)
### Interventions

#### Control Group
Participants in the control group will receive weather forecast information via SMS every Wednesday for 8 weeks. The message content will be as follows:

**Weather Prediction Message**:
- **Chinese**: 【重庆电力】亲爱的用户(户号:500***1234),炎炎夏日来临,诚邀您参加“节能一夏”活动!本周,重庆的平均气温预计为XX度,有/无降雨。
- **English**: [Chongqing Grid] Dear user (Account number: 500***1234), Hot summer coming! We invite you to participate in the "Energy-Saving Summer" event. This week the average temperature in Chongqing is expected to be XX degrees with/without rainfall.

#### Knowledge Group
Participants in the knowledge group will receive knowledge messages via SMS every Wednesday for 8 weeks. The message content will be as follows:

**Knowledge Message**:
- **Chinese**: 【重庆电力】亲爱的用户(户号:500***1234),炎炎夏日来临,诚邀您参加“节能一夏”活动!重庆用电高峰期*11:00—17:00* 和 *20:00—22:00*,峰段过度用电会导致发电厂额外烧煤,产生大量污染,加重二氧化碳排放和烟尘污染! 【如何错峰?】在保证居住舒适的前提下,将空调制冷,洗衣烘干,做饭等高耗能活动推迟到非高峰期进行。此活动由国网市南供电公司发起,随机抽选部分用户参与,欢迎您参加活动,积极响应政府节电号召!
- **English**: [Chongqing Grid] Dear user (Account number: 500***1234), Hot summer coming! We invite you to participate in the "Energy-Saving Summer" event! Chongqing's peak electricity usage times are 11:00—17:00 and 20:00—22:00. Excessive electricity use during peak periods can cause power plants to burn additional coal resulting in significant pollution and increasing carbon dioxide emissions and smoke pollution! 【How to avoid peak hours?】While ensuring comfortable living conditions delay high-energy-consuming activities such as air conditioning, laundry and drying, and cooking to off-peak hours. This activity is initiated by the State Grid Chongqing Shinan Company and a random selection of users is invited to participate. We welcome your participation and encourage you to actively respond to the government's call for energy conservation!

#### Goal Setting Group
Participants in the goal-setting group will receive messages encouraging them to reduce their electricity consumption by specific percentages (5%, 15%, or 25%) compared to the same week last year. The messages will be sent via SMS and will be as follows:

**Goal Setting Message**:
- **First Message**:
- **Chinese**: 【重庆电力】亲爱的用户(户号:500***1234),炎炎夏日来临,诚邀您参加“节能一夏”活动!请您7月-9月初活动期间高峰(11:00 - 17:00和20:00 - 22:00)错峰用电,与去年相同周相比降低5%/15%/25%用电量。我们会每周给您信息反馈。
- **English**: [Chongqing Power] Dear user (Account number: 500***1234), Hot summer coming! We invite you to participate in the "Energy-Saving Summer" event! During the activity period from July to early September, please try to peak-avoid using electricity during (11:00 - 17:00 and 20:00 - 22:00) and reduce your electricity consumption by 5%/15%/25% compared to the same week last year. We will provide you with feedback every week.
- **Second Message**:
- **Chinese**: 此活动由国网市南供电公司发起,随机抽选部分用户参与,欢迎您参加活动,积极响应政府节电号召!峰段过度用电会导致发电厂额外烧煤,产生大量污染,加重二氧化碳排放和烟尘污染! 【如何错峰?】 在保证居住舒适的前提下,将空调制冷,洗衣烘干,做饭等高耗能活动推迟到非高峰期进行。
- **English**: This activity is initiated by the State Grid Chongqing Shinan Company and a random selection of users is invited to participate. We welcome your participation and encourage you to actively respond to the government's call for energy conservation! Excessive electricity use during peak periods can cause power plants to burn additional coal resulting in significant pollution and increasing carbon dioxide emissions and smoke pollution! 【How to avoid peak hours?】While ensuring comfortable living conditions, delay high-energy-consuming activities such as air conditioning, laundry and drying, and cooking to off-peak hours.

**Feedback Message**:
- **First Message**:
- **Chinese**: 【重庆电力】[节能一夏活动] 亲爱的用户(户号:500***1234),您上周高峰时段的电力消耗改变了XX%。已/未达到5%/15%/25%错峰用电的目标,请您本周继续努力。
- **English**: [Chongqing Power][Energy-Saving Summer ] Dear user (Account number: 500***1234), Your electricity consumption during peak hours last week changed by XX%. You have/have not reached the 5%/15%/25% target for off-peak electricity use. Please continue your efforts this week.
- **Second Message**:
- **Chinese**: [节能一夏活动]此活动由国网市南供电公司发起,随机抽选部分用户参与,欢迎您参加活动,积极响应政府节电号召!峰段过度用电会导致发电厂额外烧煤,产生大量污染,加重二氧化碳排放和烟尘污染! 【如何错峰?】 在保证居住舒适的前提下,将空调制冷,洗衣烘干,做饭等高耗能活动推迟到非高峰期进行。
- **English**: [Energy-Saving Summer ] This activity is initiated by the State Grid Chongqing Shinan Company and a random selection of users is invited to participate. We welcome your participation and encourage you to actively respond to the government's call for energy conservation! Excessive electricity use during peak periods can cause power plants to burn additional coal resulting in significant pollution and increasing carbon dioxide emissions and smoke pollution! 【How to avoid peak hours?】While ensuring comfortable living conditions, delay high-energy-consuming activities such as air conditioning, laundry and drying, and cooking to off-peak hours.

#### Monetary Incentive Group
Participants in the monetary incentive group will receive messages promising monetary rewards for reducing their peak electricity usage. The messages will be sent via SMS and will be as follows:

**Monetary Incentive Message**:
- **First Message**:
- **Chinese**: 【重庆电力】亲爱的用户(户号:500***1234),炎炎夏日来临,诚邀您参加“节能一夏”活动!请您7月-9月初活动期间错峰用电,与历史相同周相比每减少1%的高峰时段(11:00 - 17:00和20:00 - 22:00)用电量,我们将奖励您0.5元。我们会每周给您信息反馈。此奖励按周计算,每周总奖励限额为12.5元,活动结束后统一发放。
- **English**: [Chongqing Power] Dear user (Account number: 500***1234), Hot summer coming! We invite you to participate in the "Energy-Saving Summer" event! Please peak-avoid using electricity during (11:00 - 17:00 and 20:00 - 22:00) from July to early September. For every 1% reduction in electricity consumption during peak hours compared to the same week last year, you will be rewarded 0.5 yuan. We will provide you with feedback every week. This reward is calculated every week with a maximum weekly reward of 12.5 yuan and will be distributed at the end of the event.
- **Second Message**:
- **Chinese**: 此活动由国网市南供电公司发起,随机抽选部分用户参与,欢迎您参加活动,积极响应政府节电号召!峰段过度用电会导致发电厂额外烧煤,产生大量污染,加重二氧化碳排放和烟尘污染! 【如何错峰?】 在保证居住舒适的前提下,将空调制冷,洗衣烘干,做饭等高耗能活动推迟到非高峰期进行。
- **English**: This activity is initiated by the State Grid Chongqing Shinan Company and a random selection of users is invited to participate. We welcome your participation and encourage you to actively respond to the government's call for energy conservation! Excessive electricity use during peak periods can cause power plants to burn additional coal resulting in significant pollution and increasing carbon dioxide emissions and smoke pollution! 【How to avoid peak hours?】While ensuring comfortable living conditions, delay high-energy-consuming activities such as air conditioning, laundry and drying, and cooking to off-

peak hours.

**Feedback Message**:
- **First Message**:
- **Chinese**: 【重庆电力】[节能一夏活动] 亲爱的用户(户号:500***1234),您上周高峰时段的电力消耗改变了XX%。获得xx元奖励,请您继续努力,活动结束后统一发放。此奖励按周计算,每周总奖励限额为12.5元,活动结束后统一发放。
- **English**: [Chongqing Power][Energy-Saving Summer ] Dear user (Account number: 500***1234), Your electricity consumption during peak hours last week changed by XX%. You have earned xx yuan in rewards. Please continue your efforts. The rewards will be distributed at the end of the event. This reward is calculated on a weekly basis with a maximum weekly reward of 12.5 yuan and will be distributed at the end of the event.
- **Second Message**:
- **Chinese**: [节能一夏活动]此活动由国网市南供电公司发起,随机抽选部分用户参与,欢迎您参加活动,积极响应政府节电号召!峰段过度用电会导致发电厂额外烧煤,产生大量污染,加重二氧化碳排放和烟尘污染! 【如何错峰?】 在保证居住舒适的前提下,将空调制冷,洗衣烘干,做饭等高耗能活动推迟到非高峰期进行。
- **English**: [Energy-Saving Summer ] This activity is initiated by the State Grid Chongqing Shinan Company and a random selection of users is invited to participate. We welcome your participation and encourage you to actively respond to the government's call for energy conservation! Excessive electricity use during peak periods can cause power plants to burn additional coal resulting in significant pollution and increasing carbon dioxide emissions and smoke pollution! 【How to avoid peak hours?】While ensuring comfortable living conditions, delay high-energy-consuming activities such as air conditioning, laundry and drying, and cooking to off-peak hours.

**Reward Confirmation Message**:
- **Chinese**: 【重庆电力】[节能一夏活动] 亲爱的用户(户号:500***1234),感谢您参加“节能一夏”活动!活动期间,您累计高峰错峰用电XX%,累计获得xx元奖励,请您15个工作日内带点击链接进行确认,我们将在您确认后1周内将奖励发至您手机!链接(https://www.wjx.cn/vm/PpEyiam.aspx#)
- **English**: [Chongqing Power][Energy-Saving Summer ] Dear user (Account number: 500***1234), Thank you for participating in the "Energy-Saving Summer" event! During the event you have cumulatively shifted peak electricity usage by XX% earning a total reward of xx yuan. Please click the link within 15 working days to confirm. We will send the reward to your mobile phone within one week after your confirmation! Link: https://www.wjx.cn/vm/PpEyiam.aspx#
Intervention Start Date
2024-07-17
Intervention End Date
2024-09-04

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)
1. Household Electricity Usage - During the Experiment
2. Household Electricity Usage - After the Experiment
3. Peak Avoidance Behaviour - During the Experiment
Primary Outcomes (explanation)
1. Household Electricity Usage - During the Experiment: This experiment will obtain the hourly electricity usage of users during peak, off-peak, and shoulder periods through the company's system during the experiment period.
2. Household Electricity Usage - After the Experiment: After the intervention ends, this experiment will continue to track users' electricity usage behaviour for 2-3 months. By continuing to track the households' electricity usage patterns, we can observe whether their peak avoidance behaviour persists in the long term.
3. Peak Avoidance Behavior - During the Experiment: By comparing users' electricity consumption during the experiment with their historical electricity consumption, this experiment explores whether users choose to shift their electricity usage from peak periods to off-peak and shoulder periods.

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)
Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

Experimental Design
Experiment Design Description
This experiment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions—knowledge dissemination, goal setting, and monetary incentives—on encouraging peak-avoidance behavior in electricity consumption among residential users in Chongqing, China. The design involves six treatment groups, each with approximately 5000 subjects, and will span a period of 8 weeks.

1.Treatment Groups
(1) Control Group: Receives only weather forecast information.
(2) Knowledge Group: Receives information on peak electricity periods, the negative impacts of excessive peak electricity consumption, and tips on how to shift usage to off-peak times.
(3) Goal Setting Group - 5%: Encouraged to reduce peak electricity usage by 5% compared to the same week last year.
(4) Goal Setting Group - 15%: Encouraged to reduce peak electricity usage by 15% compared to the same week last year.
(5) Goal Setting Group - 25%: Encouraged to reduce peak electricity usage by 25% compared to the same week last year.
(6) Monetary Incentive Group: Offered a financial reward for reducing peak electricity usage, with a reward of 0.5 yuan for every 1% reduction in peak usage.

2. Randomization
The randomization process will use data from 28,739 households who have not joined the time-of-use plan. Households are randomly assigned to one of the six groups using stratified randomization based on their electricity consumption data from May 13-19, 2024, and July 3-9, 2023. The stratification ensures balanced distribution of key indicators, including electricity usage during different periods (off-peak, flat-rate, and peak) on both weekdays and weekends.

3. Sample Size
Each treatment group consists of approximately 5000 households, resulting in a total sample size of 28,739 households.
Experimental Design Details
Experiment Design Description
This experiment aims to evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions—knowledge dissemination, goal setting, and monetary incentives—on encouraging peak-avoidance behavior in electricity consumption among residential users in Chongqing, China. The design involves six treatment groups, each with approximately 5000 subjects, and will span a period of 8 weeks.

1.Treatment Groups
(1) Control Group: Receives only weather forecast information.
(2) Knowledge Group: Receives information on peak electricity periods, the negative impacts of excessive peak electricity consumption, and tips on how to shift usage to off-peak times.
(3) Goal Setting Group - 5%: Encouraged to reduce peak electricity usage by 5% compared to the same week last year.
(4) Goal Setting Group - 15%: Encouraged to reduce peak electricity usage by 15% compared to the same week last year.
(5) Goal Setting Group - 25%: Encouraged to reduce peak electricity usage by 25% compared to the same week last year.
(6) Monetary Incentive Group: Offered a financial reward for reducing peak electricity usage, with a reward of 0.5 yuan for every 1% reduction in peak usage.

2. Randomization
The randomization process will use data from 28,739 households who have not joined the time-of-use plan. Households are randomly assigned to one of the six groups using stratified randomization based on their electricity consumption data from May 13-19, 2024, and July 3-9, 2023. The stratification ensures balanced distribution of key indicators, including electricity usage during different periods (off-peak, flat-rate, and peak) on both weekdays and weekends.

The indicators for randomization are shown below.
I1 Weekdays-average electricity usage per hour-Off-peak period
I2 Weekdays-average electricity usage per hour-Flat-rate period
I3 Weekdays-average electricity usage per hour-Peak period 1 (11:00 to 17:00)
I4 Weekdays-average electricity usage per hour-Peak period 2 (20:00 to 22:00)
I5 Weekends-average electricity usage per hour-Off-peak period
I6 Weekends-average electricity usage per hour-Flat-rate period
I7 Weekends-average electricity usage per hour-Peak period 1 (11:00 to 17:00)
I8 Weekends-average electricity usage per hour-Peak period 2 (20:00 to 22:00)

3. Sample Size
Each treatment group consists of approximately 5000 households, resulting in a total sample size of 28,739 households.
Randomization Method
Stratified randomization by STATA
Randomization Unit
Household
Was the treatment clustered?
No

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters
28739 households
Sample size: planned number of observations
28739 households
Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms
Control group (4892)
Knowledge group (4778)
Goal setting group - 5% (4763)
Goal setting group - 15% (4734)
Goal setting group - 25% (4720)
Monetary incentive group (4852)
Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)
Unit of measurement: change of hourly average electricity consumption during peak hours. For an error probability of alpha = 0.05, a power of 1- k = 0.95, and the standardized minimum detectable effect size is 0.1, N =1278 per treatment group.
IRB

Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)

IRB Name
School of Economics and Management,Beijing Jiaotong University
IRB Approval Date
2023-09-08
IRB Approval Number
B23SK00560

Post-Trial

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Intervention

Is the intervention completed?
No
Data Collection Complete
Data Publication

Data Publication

Is public data available?
No

Program Files

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