EcoWatt: An Electricity Management App to Illuminate Community-Driven Sustainability in Student Accommodations

This project addresses the rising issue of excessive energy consumption in student accommodations across the UK which has shown a 20% increase from 2022 to 2023. Student accommodations provide a unique context due to the communal proximity of its inhabitants and students who are not directly responsible for a separate utility bill. Through a mixed-method user research process, 28 questionnaires and 7 interviews revealed two key insights - a lack of awareness and motivation for sustainable behavioural change. The project solution, EcoWatt, is an interactive mobile app complemented by a community dashboard, to bridge the gap between awareness and action. Leveraging elements of anthropomorphism and gamification, EcoWatt delivers real-time data visualisations and educational content, empowering users to explore and better manage their energy consumption. Its scope can be broadened to other energy sources and settings, fostering sustainability in various sectors.