In order to facilitate the energy transition, the civil society should be involved and agree on measures set by policy makers. The European Green Deal and the current National Bioeconomy Strategy aim for decarbonising the energy system. To achieve this ambitious goal, stakeholders must conceive which residential energy supply systems will be chosen in future and why. These questions can be better answered if the underlying motives of consumers considering a new residential energy supply system are well understood. The overall objectives of the MotivA project were:

1) identifying motives regarding the choice of residential energy supply systems with a focus on gender and intersecting aspects (gender, income, education background, location, age)

2) creating an objective classification of residential energy supply systems (e.g. biomass and fossil fueled heating systems, heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, battery storages, air condition)

3) creating an exclusion concept that rejects residential energy supply systems, unsuitable for the residents and their preferences

To gain knowledge on the underlying motives, interviews, a survey and a subsequent motive analysis were conducted. Since the survey was conducted in the period of November 2020 and February 2021, respondents' answers were only partially influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and their impact. Classification was based on a comprehensive literature and data research. The results of the motive analysis and the classification formed the base frame for an exclusion concept.

In a considered follow-up project, this exclusion concept can be used to program a Web App decision tool, which supports consumers considering a new residential energy supply system during their decision-making process. This tool enables an ongoing analysis of motives and can thus promote the decarbonization of the Austrian energy system, as e.g. political measures or innovations by manufacturers can be aligned with it.

If you are interested in more detailed information about the planned Web App decision tool, please contact doris.matschegg@best-research.eu