research-article

GridAlert: Using a Sensor-Based Technology to Monitor Power Blackouts in Kenyan Homes

Authors:

George Hope Chidziwisano,

Erick OduorAuthors Info & Claims

CHI '20: Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

Pages 1 - 13

https://doi.org/10.1145/3313831.3376500

Published: 23 April 2020 Publication History

Abstract

Power blackouts (outages) are a common occurrence in Kenyan households. They affect people's livelihoods, and damage their property (household electrical items). We explore the role of GridAlert-a sensor-based technology we designed-in monitoring power blackouts. We worked with local technicians to design GridAlert's housing and integrate GridAlert with Kenya's electricity infrastructure. Then, we used interview, observation, diary, and data logging methods to understand 18 households' experiences using the system. Our findings provide insights for using sensor-based technology to monitor power usage and blackouts in Kenyan households. We also present participants' thoughts about GridAlert's housing, and about how it influenced their actions when using the system. We use these findings to discuss design insights for power monitoring systems, and to offer new perspectives on the role of technology in monitoring blackouts in Kenyan households.

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Cited By

Chidziwisano GCummings APotnis DJalakasi M(2024)Understanding Urban Women's Interaction with Domestic Technologies in Malawi: Advancing Feminist Theories in HCIACM Journal on Computing and Sustainable Societies10.1145/36502042:2(1-25)Online publication date: 13-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3650204
Sultana SAkter RSultana ZReza SAhmed SRzeszotarski J(2024)Understanding Environmental Sustainability and Information Practices in Global South Fish FarmingExtended Abstracts of the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613905.3650831(1-7)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3613905.3650831
Chidziwisano G(2024)Overcoming HCI4D User Research Challenges by Combining Diaries and Technology ProbesInternational Journal of Human–Computer Interaction10.1080/10447318.2024.2440681(1-15)Online publication date: 27-Dec-2024
https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2440681
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Index Terms

GridAlert: Using a Sensor-Based Technology to Monitor Power Blackouts in Kenyan Homes
1. Human-centered computing
  1. Human computer interaction (HCI)

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cover image ACM Conferences

CHI '20: Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems

April 2020

10688 pages

ISBN:9781450367080

DOI:10.1145/3313831

General Chairs:
Regina Bernhaupt
Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
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Florian 'Floyd' Mueller
Monash University, Australia
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David Verweij
Newcastle University, UK
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Josh Andres
RMIT, Australia
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Program Chairs:
Joanna McGrenere
University of British Columbia, Canada
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Andy Cockburn
University of Canterbury, New Zealand
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University of Maryland Baltimore County, USA
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Grenoble Alpes University, France
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Pernille Bjørn
University of Copenhagen, Denmark
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Shengdong (Shen) Zhao
National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Briane Paul Samson
Future University Hakodate, Japan & De La Salle University, Philippines
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Rafal Kocielnik
University of Washington, USA

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Published: 23 April 2020

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Cited By

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https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3650204
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Chidziwisano G(2024)Overcoming HCI4D User Research Challenges by Combining Diaries and Technology ProbesInternational Journal of Human–Computer Interaction10.1080/10447318.2024.2440681(1-15)Online publication date: 27-Dec-2024
https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2440681
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Chidziwisano GJalakasi M(2023)Understanding Women's Perspectives on Smart Home Security Systems in Patriarchal Societies of Malawi.Proceedings of the 2023 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference10.1145/3563657.3595971(1078-1092)Online publication date: 10-Jul-2023
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Hope Chidziwisano GMariakakis AWyche SMafeni VGideon Banda E(2021)NkhukuProbe: Using a Sensor-Based Technology Probe to Support Poultry Farming Activities in MalawiProceedings of the 4th ACM SIGCAS Conference on Computing and Sustainable Societies10.1145/3460112.3471962(275-287)Online publication date: 28-Jun-2021
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