Energy Saving And Reward Scheme

THE PROCESS

PRINCIPLE

TAKEAWAY

A great way to start raising awareness

We built the event application on top of the Ambi Climate app. The device list is the main page of the original app. So we put the temporary entrance on top of the devices, and only the scheme participants would see it.

DELIVERABLES

Encouraging

We used a gentle and supportive tone to encourage participation and collect more data samples. Participants received CLP Eco points upon completing specific requirements. Additionally, we sent friendly reminders about upcoming events and asked for feedback after each event.

Effortless

This is a new event for the public, and most participants are new to Ambi Climate. So, it's important to make them feel comfortable using the product. To achieve this, we should simplify the process, reduce the number of clicks, and remove any obstacles preventing users from participating.

Educational

Apart from promoting the energy consumption program, we want to encourage users to continue using Ambi Climate after the program ends by demonstrating how AI can improve their quality of life.

Obtain requirements

Once the scheme was confirmed, the business team briefed the working team on the requirements and discussed the data collection approach with the AI team. A series of events are planned, each lasting four hours in the evening. Half of the participants' AC settings will remain unchanged, while the other half will be remotely controlled by AI, adjusting the AC temperature slightly higher.

Coordinate internally

After collecting the necessary business requirements, I collaborated with the development team to establish the scope and implementation schedule. Our ultimate objective was to design an application that could effectively notify users of upcoming events, record their participation, and enable them to redeem rewards quickly.

Design & Develop

Next, I created wireframes to establish the structure, action flow, and information hierarchy. These were used to facilitate discussion with the team. Since it was a seasonal event with a limited user base of only a few hundred, we needed to implement it without disrupting the current app structure. After consolidating feedback from the team, I delivered UI designs with screen flow and specifications.

While working on the project, I collaborated with a copywriter to develop the UI copies. As the majority of the participants were new to Ambi Climate, we aimed to keep the content informative yet easy to understand. Additionally, we ensured that the tone and voice of the copies aligned with the brand image of Ambi Labs.

Align with CLP

We presented our design to CLP for approval, covering the overall presentation, tone of voice, and a review of the data collection approach. After incorporating their feedback, we made final iterations to the design and began preparing for the launch campaign.

One reason I joined Ambi Labs was to help reduce energy consumption. The company's scheme combines technology and public education to ease Hong Kong’s carbon emissions further. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with the regional public utility to implement this solution.

I understand that there is still a long way to go to turn this small success into a concerted year-round reduction in energy use. Long-term success depends on the collective will of the community. I hope that more companies will be willing to invest in energy saving.

I created several UI designs to facilitate the tracking of points redemption for users. However, due to time constraints, the development team opted for the most straightforward design.

We will notify users 15 minutes before the event starts and right after it starts. There is a time countdown on the event page. So users could understand how much longer the event will be going.

In the event app, users can navigate between Event, Record, and Reward pages through the bottom bar. Users can get into the event app to join events, check the details, and how many Eco points they have earned.

The structure

When an event gets started

On the details page, we allow users to drop out of the event if they are uncomfortable at home. During the event, users cannot adjust the AC through other means; otherwise, they would be dropped out by default. So we slightly modified the device dashboard to prevent users from changing the AC settings.

When an event is finished

We will also notify users when the event has ended. As our purpose is not only to keep energy use down, we would like to collect participants’ feedback on a comfortable level after the event.

Result

Throughout the events, users’ comfort was carefully balanced against energy savings with the help of AI technology to ensure that users’ living environments remained comfortable and that they would not need to readjust their air conditioner settings or quit the scheme.

Ambi Climate has proved to be hugely influential in achieving the best energy-saving results. It uses advanced technology to ensure customers stay cool and comfortable, cutting energy bills and earning rewards. In addition, we helped users reduce electricity demand by an average of 30%, more than customers not using the devices.

Ambi Climate takes care of users’ comfort with a personal Comfort AI Assistant. Photo by AMBI LABS

BACKGROUND

Ambi Climate is an AI-powered air conditioning & heat pump controller created by Ambi Labs. In 2019, Ambi Labs was invited to work with Hong Kong electricity company CLP to conduct an automated demand response (ADR) programme, Smart Energy Saving Pilot Scheme, to help users to reduce energy consumption.

OBJECTIVES

The ultimate goal of Ambi Labs is to help users reduce their energy consumption while maintaining their comfort at home. Through artificial intelligence, Ambi Labs has demonstrated that this is achievable. We must encourage more users to participate in events to collect evidence.

CHALLENGES

PROBLEMS

The peak demand dilemma

Hong Kong is known for its intensely humid climate, which results in sizzling summers. However, using air conditioners during this time puts significant pressure on energy providers to invest in additional infrastructure. While we cannot control soaring heat, we can encourage users to change their behaviour and reduce their energy use during periods of peak demand.

HIGHLIGHT

In the Smart Energy Saving Pilot Scheme, Ambi Labs has proven that Ambi Climate can help reduce electricity demand by an average of 30%, more than users not using the devices while keeping them comfortable at home.

Ambi Labs x CLP

Proving the Energy-Saving Capabilities of Ambi Climate

Users could use the Ambi Climate app to give comfort level feedback to Ambi Climate, which is linked to an air conditioner. Photo by AMBI LABS

The AI assistant uses multiple sensors to monitor changes and adjust the air conditioning accordingly, reducing energy waste. Photo by AMBI LABS

Recruitment challenge

As the Ambi Climate user base in Hong Kong was not large enough, we had to recruit new users to participate in the event. At that time, most people had heard of AI but were unsure of its capabilities. They were also concerned that we would collect more data than just their electricity consumption.

Time constraints

To collect as much data as possible for comparing electricity consumption, the event had to be conducted during the summer, which is the peak demand period. Unfortunately, collaboration was not confirmed until May, leaving less than two months for design and development. In the meantime, the team had to work on other features in parallel.