scholarly journals The Power of Co-Creation in the Energy Transition—DART Model in Citizen Energy Communities Projects

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5266
Author(s):  
Bożena Ryszawska ◽  
Magdalena Rozwadowska ◽  
Roksana Ulatowska ◽  
Marcin Pierzchała ◽  
Piotr Szymański

Successful energy transformation is interconnected with greater citizenry participation as prosumers. The search for novel solutions to implement the transition to renewable energy that will neutralize the barriers to this process, e.g., the reluctance of citizens to get involved, lack of trust in decision-makers and lack of co-ownership of energy projects, is inevitable as a part of the bottom-up process. Energy communities have vast potential to scale up Renewable Energy projects. Due to the fact that in Poland, establishing citizen energy communities in the cities is not allowed, the key success factor of energy transformation is to engage housing cooperatives and other housing communities in this process. A similar legal framework prevents communities from establishing themselves in the Czech Republic and Hungary. The research problem of this paper is to identify determinants of the co-creation process in Renewable Energy project activation at the housing cooperative level. The aim is to identify key conditions that housing cooperatives should establish in order to successfully undertake Renewable Energy project implementation using a co-creation approach. The literature study shows that the term “co-creation” is not often used in energy transition projects, although many local energy transitions are indeed co-created, unfortunately not in a structured methodical manner. In the research, we apply the DART (Dialogue, Access, Risk, Transparency) model as the framework to conduct the analysis. The study has been carried out using quantitative and qualitative research methods and based on primary and secondary data. Our findings indicate that considering the different areas of the DART model, co-creation was most visible in the area of dialogue-communication between cooperative authorities and its members, while it was least visible in the area of transparency. Based on the results pertaining to the implemented project, the researchers postulate the inclusion of factors beyond the DART model that further shape the co-creation process.

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-135
Author(s):  
Alana Malinde S.N. Lancaster

The states of the CARICOM and OECS Caribbean are small island developing states (SIDS) which are exceedingly vulnerable to economic and ecological shocks. Examples of vulnerability are the economic cost of a heavy reliance on imported oil & gas resources, and the pernicious effects of climate change. A key strategy to mitigate these vulnerabilities is to invest in renewables, increase resilience, and effect an energy transition for the Region. However, research and data on renewable energy and resilience in the region is still evolving. Further, it has become apparent from stakeholder fora such as CREF and IRAC that there are certain fundamental elements which need to be understood and addressed before the Region can achieve a just energy transition. The first is a clear understanding of what resilience means for the Region's renewable energy sector. The second relates to financing options which incorporate elements of resilience into renewable energy projects. Thirdly, in the rebuilding from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is recognised that reimagining full gender equality in the energy sector will be key to sustainable and competitive development. This Article explores the recent developments to re-imaging the route to resilience and renewables in the CARICOM & OECS Caribbean through collaborative efforts at the regional level. It also sets out the next steps in these three fundamental areas and outlines the role for future research to support these regional initiatives.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 109-116
Author(s):  
Melaty Anggraini ◽  
Sika Nur Indah

This study examines the role of an epistemic community, namely the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) which focuses on energy and the environment in encouraging the transformation towards a sustainable energy system in Indonesia by analyzing the public policy advocacy efforts IESR has carried out. Indonesia has set a Renewable Energy transition target in every national energy regulation. Still, it has not been focused and has become a top priority in supporting the renewable energy transition sector, so it is necessary to involve IESR in helping to pursue a renewable energy transition roadmap in the future and be included in the draft energy bill academic paper. In its action to create an energy transition roadmap, IESR collaborates with the media to accelerate the renewable energy transition and push for legislation on its legal policies. The purpose of this study is to identify the efforts made by IESR in accelerating the change of renewable energy through collaboration with the media (media relations). The method used is a literature study focusing on examining the role of IESR in framing renewable energy issues through the media. From the analysis results, it was found that IESR data-based policy advocacy research published in the media has contributed to crafting knowledge to change a transformation of norms in social society, especially in the field of renewable energy issues.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amina El Mekaoui ◽  
Rasikh Tariq ◽  
Othón Baños Ramírez ◽  
P.E. Méndez-Monroy

Sustainable development is an integrated blend of energetic, economic, social, environmental, and governmental actors, making it one of the most challenging and subjective aims of the United Nations. A sustainability project that does not consider any of these parameters can generate resistance among different actors of society. In this work, we have demonstrated that the traditional definition of sustainability encompassing economic development, environmental protection, and social justice does not adequately cover large-scale renewable energy projects. We have presented an illuminating case study of solar development in the Yucatan state of Mexico to show that the traditional three-legged stool of sustainable development fails to accommodate local power relations and their role in energy decision-making. This point is made through a substantive and illuminating ethnography of a solar project in the community of San José Tipceh, which involves the importance of energy democracy and understanding power relations in any assessment of sustainable development. These power relations are an important component of sustainable development, and all megaprojects, especially renewable energy projects, require special attention in the governance processes. Through an analysis of an example of implementation of a mega solar project, we argue that the methodology through which the power is exercised is an exercise of great importance because it leads us to a scientific discussion that structures an international reflection on sustainability. The case study consists of mixed methods, including several techniques to deepen the analysis of sociocultural aspects, and tries to present the limits and show the weakness of the sustainability perspective in such megaprojects. It is concluded that environmental justice as a basic element of the new era of renewable energies is limited and can generate social injustices. In the same way, this work shows how power is exercised in the implementation of energy projects and in the absence of equitable comprehensive governance that does not consider the local sociocultural contexts of the communities, resulting in the generation of new powers and permanent conflicts. At the end of this work, a framework to empower local sociocultural contexts for an equitable energy transition is recommended.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 8084
Author(s):  
Ulf Liebe ◽  
Geesche M. Dobers

Justice and fairness are increasingly popular concepts in energy research and comprise several justice dimensions, including distributive and procedural justice, related to energy production and consumption. In this paper, we used factorial survey experiments—a method employed in sociological justice research—for energy transition research. In a factorial survey, respondents evaluated one or more situations described by several attributes, which varied in their levels. The experimental setup of factorial surveys is one of its advantages over simple survey items, as based on this, the relative importance of each attribute for justice evaluations can be determined. We employed the method in a study on the perceived fairness of renewable energy expansion projects related to wind energy, solar energy, and biomass in Germany, and considered aspects of procedural and distributive justice. We show that the effects of these justice dimensions can be separated and the heterogeneity in justice evaluations can be explained. Compared to previous studies applying factorial survey experiments to explain the acceptance of renewable energy projects, we employed the method to directly measure justice concerns and asked respondents to evaluate the vignettes in terms of perceived fairness. This is important because acceptance and fairness as well as inequality and injustice are different phenomena.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 10431
Author(s):  
Marula Tsagkari

Islands have great potential for renewable energy, and several pilot and experimental projects have been set up on islands globally, aiming to promote clean energy and self-sufficiency. Many of these decentralized energy initiatives oppose the established regimes of centralized electricity generation and introduce new forms of organization and management. Thus, they can be considered social niches. The aim of the present study is to explore the transition potential of renewable energy projects on three islands located in southern Europe. The analysis mobilizes literature on the strategic niche management theory (SNM) with a focus on the role of the various actors and the different management models. Through a systematic analysis of policy documents and the literature, enriched by interviews, the paper identifies different types of renewable energy projects and discusses the potential for scale up. The paper concludes that these projects are currently in the inter-local phase, and decentralization is not only an important innovation for energy production, but also a new form of energy management often dominated by different actors than the established electricity system.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 2596
Author(s):  
Laura-Patricia Oviedo-Toral ◽  
Davi Ezequiel François ◽  
Witold-Roger Poganietz

This paper presents distinct scenario pathways and their storylines resulting from an analysis of interdependencies. We identified the main drivers of a proposed renewable energy transition in rural Mixteca-Puebla, Mexico. By analyzing the main factors involved in alleviating impoverished communities in the rural region, we show the varying degrees to which these drivers influence, support, or hinder a promising energy transition. A Cross-Impact Balance Analysis was conducted to explore the multiple inter-relationships among a set of conditions. This methodology allowed us to evaluate the relationships between social, political, cultural, and environmental variables. The main drivers were identified as clusters of several elements, in which the uncertainties in governance and the legal system trigger the inter-relationship of forces in the area. The focus of this paper is to show how the societal aspects affect the structural energy transformation and its capacity for adaptation in future trends envisioned for the area. This research contributes to the use of technological transformation as a means to alleviate poverty in a rural area. These outcomes give insights regarding the conditions to be considered, in respect to possible–encouraging, but also pessimistic pathways for the region in coming decades.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadeta Baran

This article aims to analyze the process of energy transformation in Germany and renewable energy state support as an example of a strategic and effective policy. Energy transition in Germany, which leads to replacement of conventional energy with renewable sources and increase of energy efficiency is a long-term project requiring a strong state intervention. This project is supported with European Union green energy policy giving favorable legal and institutional framework for green technologies development. The process of energy transformation in Germany started more than two decades ago and nowadays this economy benefits from growing number of new jobs and export of high-tech products. The article analyzes the concept of "green growth" in the EU, which is both determinant and the effect of energy transformation in Germany. It discusses support mechanisms and instruments for German green energy sector, transformation goals in that area, financing sources and the most important economic effects.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8221
Author(s):  
Bartłomiej Iglinski ◽  
Karol Flisikowski ◽  
Michał Bernard Pietrzak ◽  
Urszula Kiełkowska ◽  
Mateusz Skrzatek ◽  
...  

In the era of globalization and rapid economic growth, affecting most world economies, increased production and consumption are leading to higher levels of energy production and consumption. The growing demand for energy means that energy resources from conventional sources are not sufficient; moreover, its production generates high costs and contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases and waste. In view of the above, many countries have opted to implement an energy transformation. The energy transition allows the transition from an energy system based on conventional fuels to an energy system based mainly on renewable energy (RE) and low-emission sources. In the EU, the development of a “green economy” has become a strategic goal in the fight against climate change. The development of RE offers the possibility to improve the energy security of a given country and the entire EU. New, innovative technologies of RE also increase the attractiveness and competitiveness of the economies of the Member States. In line with the EU strategy, the activities carried out aim to achieve a situation in which, in 2050, the activities of economies will not endanger the environment. The main purpose of this article was the assessment of the RE sector in the Pomerania region in the context of energy transformation. To achieve this goal, PEST analysis regarding the functioning of the RE sector in the selected Polish region was used and the potential of the RE sector was determined using GIS tools on the basis of physical conditions. The article presents the research hypothesis that the RE sector within the Pomerania Voivodeship possesses appropriate energy potential, which will allow this Voivodeship to become an energy self-sufficient region based on the use of these energy sources (according to EU strategy). The implementation of the goal set in the article allowed for the verification of the research hypothesis, where the determined energy potential from the RE sector would cover the Voivodeship’s needs due to the use of electricity and heat. The conducted research shows that the RE sector in these regions has high energy potential to meet the criteria outlined in EU legal documents and to implement them successfully within the intended period.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document