Smart energy technology: A survey of adoption by individuals and the enabling potential of the technologies

Smart energy technologies are considered to expedite our energy system transition, which is required to meet the zero-carbon emission goals by 2050. These technologies offer new possibilities to manage energy demand and supply, especially considering the increasing share of renewable energy sources and the ongoing emergence of decentralized energy concepts. Whilst previous studies have predominantly investigated drivers for and barriers to individuals' intention to adopt smart energy technologies, the present study was carried out to investigate drivers and barriers that influence the individuals’ actual decision to adopt these technologies and explores the role of co-adoption of related technologies (renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles). Therefore, an extended version of Technology Acceptance model (i.e. encompassing the perceived risk and the adoption of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles) was included in an online survey with a national quota-representative sample (n = 521). A binary logistic regression analysis of data collected in this survey shows that the adoption of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles, as well as perceived ease of use and attitude, encourage individuals to adopt smart energy technologies, whereby the adoption of electric vehicles has the strongest effect on their decision to adopt smart energy technologies. Our results indicate that the process of co-adopting energy-related technologies is ongoing, increasing the enabling potential to support an energy system transition. •Individuals' actual decision to adopt smart energy technologies was investigated.•Attitude and perceived ease of use encourage using smart energy technologies.•The role of co-adoption of related technologies was explored.•Adoption of related technologies encourages the use of smart energy technologies.•These co-adoption processes support an energy system transition.