Understanding Energy Informatics: A Gestalt-Fit Perspective

摘要

World energy consumption is on the rise. Consequently, there is increasing focus on research on energy informatics (EI). Given the nascent state of research in EI, it is important for researchers to understand what has been accomplished within the EI literature and to be provided with a roadmap of what should be examined in future studies. Our study attempts to contribute towards this by providing a comprehensive review of the EI literature. Our analysis reveals that EI studies can be grouped into four different categories, and that there is an overfocus on viewing EI as only an energy-saving mechanism. Such a focus ignores EI's potential to serve non-environmental goals. Our manuscript provides a holistic understanding of EI success by drawing on the gestalt-fit perspective, and highlighting the multi-dimensionality of EI. The model should also help future researchers in understanding the salient topics of investigation with respect to EI.