Renewable energy production is already reaching its limits. Therefore, it is time to discuss the future of sharing these limited resources. The Energy Mediator represents an interactive Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) display, to collaboratively share energy in digital energy communities.
In an energy sharing future…
The energy transition towards renewable energy is growing more rapidly than our current infrastructure, leading to problems like grid congestion (Brainport, 2024). Currently, most time and money go towards short-term solutions that address immediate human needs, like expanding grid capacity to quickly put out fires. However, to respond to the speed of the energy transition, we should also focus on more future-proof opportunities, by redesigning our already existing systems.
In the nearby future, our energy systems may require people to make informed decisions about sharing electricity. This raises important questions about the equitable distribution of energy: Should everyone receive the same amount of energy? Do we prioritize certain people during energy shortages? What if it's freezing cold, but there’s only enough electricity to heat 3 out of 5 houses?
Hybrid Intelligence: Human X (Explainable) AI (XAI)
In a shared energy future, the use of Artificial Intelligence can play a significant role in controlling smart grids and determining the most 'optimal' allocation of electricity based on specific parameters. However, the black box nature of AI often makes it difficult for humans to understand why and how certain decisions are made, leading to a lack of trust in these systems. Additionally, how can we be sure that the AI's decisions are perceived as ‘fair’ by humans?
Therefore, the need for XAI methods has arisen, where the decision making of an AI can be rendered more transparent (Jangoan et al., 2024). As a result, XAI has the potential to empower people in a world dominated by complex technologies. It allows humans to correct the system, while also prompting themselves to reflect on their own assumptions when the system's decisions differ from their expectations. Opening up our view to non-human forms of intelligences, such as AI, might reveal us things that are often overlooked in our human-centric views (Rijssenbeek & Dirkzwager, 2023).
We need a more collective intelligence method that emphasizes the synergy of human and AI intelligence: hybrid intelligence.
The Energy Mediator
This hybrid intelligence will come to life with The Energy Mediator. It represents an XAI display with interactive energy data points, inspired by analog computer technology. Serving as a tool to plan for energy sharing among digital energy communities, it opens up the discussion about how to manage energy shortages and surpluses, as well as addressing questions of fairness in the distribution of a shared good.
Instead of focusing on a fixed future, The Energy Mediator is designed to help people navigate and respond to various (unexpected) shifts in the transitioning energy landscape. Using a Systemic Design approach, it supports continuous collaboration and adjustment. It helps people with visualizing the effects of certain shifts and adapting to them — whether those shifts come from within an energy community or from outside factors such as politics or climate change. Humans must constantly co-create to thrive in a changing world, with a crucial question in mind:
What is a ‘fair’ energy allocation?
