Values and responsibility in the development of Smart Energy Systems in European cities (poster)

Marloes Dignum

Values, Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology

Values and responsibility in the development of Smart Energy

Systems in European cities

Problem Description

Analytical Framework

(How) does the concept ‘smart’ serve the performativity of

sustainability visions?

Which values are incorporated in current initiatives?

This paper identifies the emerging structures of Smart Energy

Systems (SES). SES systems are often seen as a way to shape a

sustainable future energy system, and to bring in (local)

responsibility to a future setting. Yet, initiatives are diverse.

This paper analyses 35 Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAPs)

that are municipal visions to reach, and sometimes exceed,

European CO2 reduction goals. It zooms in to 5 SEAPs that identify

specifically as ‘smart’. This paper focuses on the shaping

capabilities (performativity) of sustainability visions in general and

SES specifically. It addresses the questions:

Performativity

Challenges

Issues

Content and

Contextualisati

on

•

Level of ambition (size, means,

time)

•

Coordination between

overarching and local vision(s)

and contexts

•

Values incorporated

Stakeholder

interaction

•

In envisioning process

•

In implementation

•

Network formation

Actions

•

Feasibility of realisation

•

Possibility for concrete action

Preliminary Results

Preliminary Results

Analytical perspective based on Utopian

Studies,

and

the

sociology

of

expectations and Utopian studies.

Preliminary Results

Preliminary Conclusion

Performativity Challenges

SEAPs (n35) SEAP SES (subset n5) Content and

contextualisatio n

• Related to EU policy.

• Hardly includes reflection and

prioritization.

• No feedback loop to EU or region

• Carbon reduction central. Some

positioning much broader e.g., reduction of flooding.

• Comparison with similar cities

• Ambition loosely connected to EU • Well contextualized • Higher ambition

• Broad positioning, broader positioning more common e.g. quality of life, image, health.

• Smart as Buzzword: e.g citizen/ grid/ mobility/ sports facility/ economy/ office.

Stakeholder interaction

• Often not upfront • Part of implementation

• Mostly within city sometimes

between comparable cities, limited to EU level.

• Platform itself also fulfills

coordinating function.

• Not in initiation

• Part of detailing and implementation • Intensive networking, part of competition,

with open information

Realisation • Linear thinking • Funding underdeveloped • EU as source of funding • Often planned to take –off

• Feedback loops

• Detailed and general measures • Smart grids part of the solution • City “ regeneration” • Attention for funding * Framework and analysis is elaborated from an earlier conference paper: Van Bueren E., Steenhuisen B., Dignum M.

(2015) The expected performance of local energy visions in Europe: a governance perspective ICPP July 1-4, Milan.

Numbers of submitted SEAPs in Europe in May 2015

(http://www.covenantofmayors.eu/actions/sustainable-energy-action-plans_en.html)

Next steps

Detailed analysis (desk research and interviews) of several case studies

to identify precise actions, actor involvement, current and planned

development. Aim is to identify the changing roles and responsibilities of

actors and institutions. Attention is paid to whose values are included in

ongoing developments and what is (not) taken into account. By

comparing different, potentially extreme, developments, attention will

be drawn to the consequences of large scale implementation.

Compared to general SEAP visions, the SES visions were more

thorough, elaborate, and contextualised. The ambition was more

self-defined and less fed by EU policy. SES had a stronger network and were

more competitive towards other cities. Image and being a role model

were important. The concept smart was mobilised broadly. The vision

included leverage points to contribute to several public values such as

health and well-being (including reduction of fuel poverty). This

positioning was also present in other SEAPs that had pre- arranged

funding and extensive network formation.