Gamification of Energy Awareness

The basic idea it to develop a game-like user interface for measuring or detecting an apartments’ or buildings’ energy usage. People are now able to see their consumption figures in real time, but unfortunately they see graphs and figures only. For some, numeric figures and diagrams alone are boring. Those are normally for technical people and diagrams do not tempt you to compete or save energy.
Our idea is to add game elements to energy awareness. The customers (users) might have an energy game where they have their own consumption data as a precursor of game stage. For example, if someone uses lot of energy we are able to show it by a high hill on the game stage. Now he/she has to climb over the hill to get to the next point of the game. If some other competitor uses less energy his/her hill is lower.

We could make other similar obstacles (game elements). For example competitor can fall down in a hole or trap and it takes a bit longer to get back to ground if he/she spends lot of energy. We could also design a city block where competitors are moving. If he/she uses lot of energy he/she has to wait a longer time at traffic lights.

What elements and knowledge are needed?

For developing such a game, we have to combine sensor/detector data to a game engine. Basically, we need sensors/detectors with server option, main server for data handling, game platform for gaming and signal prosessing for modifing sensor signal to game elements. We have done all that in our earlier project called Tamhattan, so basicly we know that this is possible to carry out.

Funding and business model

It might be possible to apply funding from ministry of some foundations. However, one possible solution might be to sell ‘coverage’ for environmentally friendly organizations. For example, some fridge and washing machine producers could sponsor our project so that we put their ads (commercials) within some game elements. For example, by using Whirpool machines you’ll never fall down a hole or with Siemens all the hills are lower.

How to play

The idea is that the gamer can help himself/herself. If he/she turns light off or even reduces lighting a bit his/her speed at game stage will increase and/or hills are lower. The gamers can see each others progression in order to get feeling of competition. However, it is possible to adjust one’s visibility or to set up a competition where your friends are the competitors.

We also need glory and a ‘hook’ for gamers. We might have real prizes for winners and/or lottery type solution. If you are doing well you could get bonus worth 100€ -500€ if you are buying new devices or something like that. Graphically we could show that by giving gold coins to one’s treasure chest.