Pippa Amanta filled a session about how digitalisation is shaping energy demand for the University of Oxford’s Energy Systems Master’s program. This session is part of the Energy & Society module in which students explore social aspects of the energy systems. Pippa emphasised that people and digital innovations are mutually shaping each other in a sociotechnical loop. The class then discussed what that loop means for energy demand across three levels: direct, indirect, and systemic. Diving into group discussions focusing on five case studies – ride-hailing, video conferencing, autonomous vehicles, meal kits, and online shopping – the students unpack how digital innovations can have positive or negative net impact on energy demand reduction depending on user behaviour and wider social changes. The students were highly engaged and reflective about how digitalisation is changing our everyday lives and our overall energy consumption.
Explore the talk here.