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Buildings represent the largest contributor to energy consumption in electric grids of the United States, making them a significant focal point for energy improvements and sustainability efforts. The broad participation of residential buildings in demand side management (DSM) can support decarbonization goals and the use of power generated by clean energy sources. The purpose of this study is to assess awareness and potential factors that may influence college students' willingness for load flexibility to support DSM participation. An online survey was conducted among students majoring in civil, environmental, and applied engineering in two distinct classes. Preliminary findings suggest that enhanced awareness of the DSM strategies reduce levels of concern with participation in demand side management programs. The factors that appear to drive willingness to participate in DSM for this specific population are related to the potential reduction of electricity costs, helping the environment, and overall energy savings. 

Buildings are responsible for the largest portion of energy consumption on U.S. electric grids. The wide participation of buildings in demand side management (DSM) through modulating or shifting electricity end uses, particularly in homes, can support decarbonization goals and increase reliability of electric power supply. The awareness and willingness of households to adjust internal loads, housing occupancy, and household energy consumption patterns all play an important role to support the potential for DSM. A particularly challenging type of housing to reach in DSM is rental housing. Historically this type of housing has been plagued by split incentives that limit the motivation of home owners (landlords) to improve the energy performance of these buildings since they often do not pay the utility bills. DSM presents an opportunity to support reducing the utility bills of renters through controls adjustments rather than requiring the landlord to invest in energy efficient technologies. This study aims to identify household occupancy schedules and potential factors that may influence willingness to participate in DSM among renters, in particular college students. A survey-based method was conducted among 55 college students majoring in civil, environmental, and applied engineering and showed that, while the targeted population has low awareness about DSM strategies, they would be willing to participate in a DSM in the future. The factors that appear to drive willingness to participate in DSM for this population were related to the potential reduction of electricity costs and energy savings.