Play online to save energy with RED

A new online role-play game is attempting to bridge the gap between consumers and the knowledge they need to live energy-saving lives. RED (Renewable Energy Drama) has been developed by researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Erfurt, Germany, in the course of the "RESIDENS" project, and hopes to allign the public with the government’s new plans to accelerate energy policy.

Using an online avatar, the user can navigate through the house of a family of three. Each regular household task clicked on – for example, doing the laundry – will produce an information box detailing CO2 useage, cost for electricity and cost for the year. This is repeated for half a load, a three quarters load and a full load.

A second module of the game introduces the user to ‘Smart Meters’, devices currently being piloted across Germany. As of 2010, under The German Energy Management Act, these must be installed in new and fully-renovated houses. A precise reading of the energy used and the current tarrifs fully informs the user of the best times to use his or her appliances.

The 10–15 minute game hopes to provide personalised feedback targeted at adults and young people in order to better inform them as to how they can save energy through simple decision-making in their own home. Click here for more information.

Published: Wednesday, 14th September 2011 by Ellen Haggan