Data donation: Using the gift relationship framework to address privacy and environmental issues of energy consumption data collection

Data, particularly consumption data, is an essential and often overlooked aspect of energy transitions. Fine-grained data on the diverse sources of energy in the energy mix, how it is distributed, and patterns of use by individuals and households help smoothen the transition to renewable energy. However, obtaining, utilizing, and storing energy data generates concerns about privacy and climate change. We propose that both the need for high quality data and concerns related to privacy and environmental sustainability can be addressed by rethinking and re-designing how data is produced. More specifically, we argue that the concept of data donation and the idea of gift relationship can be fruitfully exploited to revolutionize how we view and relate to energy data. We specify how gift relationships established through data donation address core challenges related to privacy (i.e., it enables individuals to understand the inherent value of data and empowers them to demand transparency and accountability) and emissions (i.e., it makes higher quality data available, reducing the likelihood that surplus data will be stored). Furthermore, the gift relationship lowers the likelihood of abuse by emphasizing an ethics of care, responsibility, and respect for individuals and their data. We highlight challenges that may arise, cautioning about potential abuses while also suggesting feasible ways to address these pitfalls. This perspective aims to stimulate research and debates not only on energy data, but also on how we reap benefits from it and mitigate social and environmental harms.