With rising energy bills, taking action isn't always straightforward. The topic remains complex for many French people. With Liberté Watts, Guillaume Faure has chosen to leverage gaming to encourage consumers to change their habits. "Our mission is to enable anyone to save electricity while having fun," he explains. The app aims to make the energy transition more tangible and accessible.
Free of charge, the app connects to the household's Linky meter to monitor consumption and offer almost daily challenges. The goal is to reduce expenses during peak electricity demand times, particularly in the morning and early evening. Users earn points when they decrease their consumption during these periods. They can then convert their points into gifts from partners or into bank transfers.
Today, according to Guillaume Faure, users of Liberté Watts reduce their energy consumption by 8 to 10%, which translates to savings of 80 to 100 euros annually on an average bill of 1,000 euros.
Beyond household budgets, the issue is also environmental. While French electricity production is largely decarbonized, gas and coal plants are more heavily relied upon during consumption peaks. Delaying the start of a washing machine or adjusting certain usages can therefore help limit CO₂ emissions.
Liberté Watts redistributes a portion of the revenue generated from the savings made for the benefit of the electricity network, in order to reward individuals who agree to shift their consumption.
The challenges help users understand the concrete impact of their actions while evolving their habits. "The hardest part is taking action," he emphasizes. The game thus becomes a means to raise awareness among consumers and engage them sustainably in the energy transition.
"Today, we need to take it a step further. And try to avoid consuming during peak periods," concludes Guillaume Faure.
