Data Physicalisations for Energy Communities

Sammanfattning

Integrating tangible and electronically interactive artefacts into data physicalisations of complex energy systems used in discursive settings allows for increased agency between users and benefits sense-making. Using light, proportionality and movement to intuitively represent electricity information of developing energy communities that cannot yet be substantiated by accurate data enables discussion on a wide-range of energy and policy related topics to ensue. This investigation sought to explore the effects of varying the narratives accompanying such physicalisations, tangible electronic inputs and the use of light to convey complex energy information . Qualitative research methods were used to explore possible data physicalisations of energy communities. This thesis uses the development of an energy community in the Hammarby Sj\"{o}stad locality of Stockholm, as a case study, however yields findings that can be applied by designers more generally. The prototyping resulted in the creation of a generative prototype that can be used to further explore the uses of light in conveying narratives based on varying electricity information, as well as insights that can serve as a basis for further research.