The Human Side of Energy with Prof. Yolande Strengers
About this episode
Professor Yolande Strengers discusses the human aspects of the energy transition and the role of behavior in shaping energy futures.
Professor Yolande Strengers, Research Director at Monash Energy Institute and expert in digital sociology, challenges everything we think we know about smart homes and the energy transition. From debunking the myth of the perfectly rational "Resource Man" consumer to exploring privacy concerns around EV charging automation, Yolande reveals why people—not just technology—must drive Australia's energy future. She discusses the gendered dynamics of smart home adoption, the coming wave of home helper robots, and why low-income households are being left behind in the transition. This conversation offers rare insight into how human behaviour, not just engineering, will determine whether our energy transition succeeds or fails.
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