DDW: Innovation, Technology, and Behavioral Insights for Energy Transition to a Low-Carbon Future

Background

Better understanding of people’s behavior is fundamental for designing public policies that address complex development challenges. In the last decade, the use of behavioral insights together with big data, IoT and AI has grown rapidly particularly in the areas of renewable energy consumption, energy saving and peak-shift (demand-response), EV car sharing, and public transportation. There are over 200 specialized behavioral science units in governments, international development organizations, universities, and the private sector. In Japan, the Nudge Unit is active and has delivered tangible outcomes with demonstration projects in power saving and time-shift, day-time EV charging, and Mobility as a Service (MaaS) which could be deployed into developing countries.

In this DDW, knowledge and experiences will be shared on how behavior insights (e.g., nudge theory) and its practical uses can be built into projects for tackling climate change. For example, nudges have been used effectively on household electric utility customers - EV day-time charging, advanced MaaS management, and grassroots stakeholders for electricity demand management. The session highlights 3 practical case studies where development professionals and technology providers assessed on-the-ground needs of stakeholders and provided innovative solutions using behavioral science. The speakers aim to emphasize the role behavioral insights can play in improving outcomes in clean energy related projects.

Objectives

This DDW is mainly for agencies such as electric utilities of ADB’s developing member countries (DMCs) but also for ADB staff, startups, and venture companies that can provide cutting-edge technologies, and innovative solutions in the fields of energy to address the climate change challenges.
Increase awareness of behavior science and how it can be applied in clean energy and climate related projects.
Nurture collaboration among various agencies across sectors in this field through knowledge and experience sharing, leading to concrete capacity-building programs and projects.

AGENDA

9:00 - 9:10 a.m.

Opening Remarks, Behavioral Insights for Energy Transition to a Low-Carbon Future

Susann Roth, Advisor of SDCC and Chief of Knowledge Management, ADB

9:10 - 9:17 a.m.

Overall Japanese Efforts by using Behavioral Insights and Possible Applications in Developing Countries, and Quick Introduction of A. Daytime EV Charging

Naoki Sakai, CEO, D-Sharing

9:17 - 9:21 a.m.

Quick Introduction of B. Rural Electrification

Len George, Principal Energy Specialist, Pacific Regional Department, ADB

9:21 - 9:25 a.m.

Quick Introduction of C. MaaS

Sumio Tanaka, CEO, ZENMOV

Tomonori Kimura, President & CEO, Asian Gateway

9:25 - 9:30 a.m.

(Room Configuration Change and participants move to one of 3 break-out groups)

09:30 - 10:05 a.m.

A. Daytime EV Charging Challenge Nudge