Are You Flexible Enough? The Impact of Energy Literacy and Environmental Values on Flexibility Provision

The residential sector plays a crucial role in the sustainable energy transition. By accepting direct load control, households can provide flexibility and contribute to stable energy systems where supply and demand are in balance. First studies indicate that when residential consumers are energy-literate, i.e., when they have a basic understanding of the use of energy and how it relates to their daily use of energy-related technologies, their willingness to provide flexibility increases. However, empirical confirmation is still scarce. Therefore, our study surveyed residential consumers in a European country (n = 442) to examine their understanding of energy use and their motivations for providing flexibility for heating and charging of electric vehicles (EVs). Results reveal that energy literacy and environmental values are key predictors for flexibility.