Naslov
Stakeholders’ perspectives on energy consumers’ role in decentralized energy systems

Autori
Međugorac, Vanja ; Schuitema, Geertje

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Symposium Environmental Psychology: Factors and processes related to perceptions of energy systems / - , 2018, 323-323

Skup
29th International Congress of Applied Psychology

Mjesto i datum
Montréal, Kanada, 26.06.2018. - 30.06.2018

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
energy systems, stakeholders, decentralisation, Q methodology

Sažetak
Abstract Summary: The scale of development and design of future energy systems will influence the level and type of public participation in energy systems. Currently, energy systems are in transition: where until now, the majority of energy was produced centrally, implying that energy consumers are merely passive recipients of energy, there is a push for decentralization, which implies more active role of consumers. Decentralized Energy Systems (DES) are broadly defined as systems where energy generation is located close to the place where it is used and is usually associated with higher levels of public engagement with energy systems. Although different components of DES are known (e.g., technologies, institutions, policy and behaviours), there is no consensus on how DES should be designed and what is the role of consumers in DES. Objective of this study is to identify differences in stakeholders’ perspectives on design of DES and the role of consumers in DES. To identify dimensions underlying different perspectives interviews with stakeholders from industry, civil society, academia, and consumers will be conducted. Q methodology will be applied for identification of dimensions underlying perspectives on decentralization. We expect that the different perspectives depend on worldviews and public values. Hence, we will contrast the perspectives on DES using the two components of Dominant Social Paradigm, i.e. technology (technological optimism) and economics (free-market ideology). Also, perspectives will be contrasted on the basis of public values for energy system such as efficiency, environmental protection, security, social justice, autonomy, and system long-term trajectories. Background/rational: Objective of this study is to identify differences in stakeholder’s perspectives on the design of DES and the role of consumers in DES. These perspectives will be contrasted using worldviews identified by Dominant Social Paradigm (technological optimism and free market ideology), and social values associated with desirable energy futures. Methods: To identify dimensions underlying different perspectives Q methodology will be applied following 3 steps: interviews with stakeholders from industry, civil society, academia, end-users ; defining Q set ; Q sort ; Q factor analysis. Extracted dimensions will be correlated with worldviews and social values. Results: Data is currently collected and first results will be presented at the conference. Conclusions: The data will provide insights to different perspectives on decentralization of energy system with regard to worldviews and values. Action/Impact: Understanding stakeholders’ perspective on the design of DES, the role of consumers in DES, as well as worldviews and values which underpin these perspectives, is of supreme importance for design and development of future energy systems.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Sociologija, Psihologija, Interdisciplinarne društvene znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA