Energy periphery: Uneven development and the precarious geographies of low-carbon transition

Abstract

The paper introduces the concept of energy periphery to interrogate place-based perspectives on the co-production of uneven geographical development, energy vulnerabilities and low carbon transitions. Energy periphery is defined as places that are systematically disadvantaged through the whole energy system due to their inferior position within the asymmetrical spatial distribution of material, economic, political and symbolic resources and capabilities. Within an energy periphery, energy-related factors are combined with other place-based conditions to subject their communities to a compound and circular effect of precarious energy experiences. The notion of energy periphery is underpinned by insights from the spatial justice, core-periphery and energy justice theories. Using the case of Wales, the paper demonstrates the multi-dimensional and multi-scalar character of energy peripheralization, including political underrepresentation, the absence of economic agglomeration advantages, and dependence on off-grid fuels, energy inefficient homes and other 'backward' technologies and practices. Social and spatial contingencies of end-use energy vulnerability factors are outlined. Contrary to common discourses, energy transition further disadvantages energy peripheries and reproduces a fragmented socio-spatial landscape. The study overall demonstrates the importance of considering energo-socio-spatial relationships to better understand uneven energy transitions and social change more generally.

Territorial Energy Vulnerability Assessment to Enhance Just Energy Transition of Cities

“…They have identified how spatial variables can explain energy poverty expressions more precisely than other variables like household socioeconomic conditions (Jimenez, 2017;Besagni and Borgarello, 2019;Mattioli et al, 2019). This has been studied especially in the case of Central and Eastern European countries (Bouzarovski et al, 2015;Bouzarovski and Tirado Herrero, 2017a;Sokołowski et al, 2020) but increasingly in other European countries (Besagni and Borgarello, 2019;Mattioli et al, 2019;O'Sullivan et al, 2020), highlighting geographical disparities and central-periphery relations in the EU community (Bouzarovski and Tirado Herrero, 2017b;Golubchikov and O'Sullivan, 2020). In the same context, energy poverty incidence has also been related to neighborhoods' urban and architectural conditions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical context and development of housing complexes in urban and rural areas (Besagni and Borgarello, 2019).…”

Proximities of energy justice: contesting community energy and austerity in England

“…Building on these relations between space and energy injustice, Golubchikov and O'Sullivan [43] and O’Sullivan et al [44] have introduced the concept of ‘energy peripheries’ that are integral to geographically uneven energy transition processes. Connecting to notions of energy vulnerability and drawing on an analysis of unequal low-carbon transitions in Wales, both papers emphasise the extent to which transition processes reproduce distinctly spatial injustices and reinforce pre-existing spatial hierarchies.…”

“…Policy frameworks for local energy should therefore recognise the critical roles that intermediaries play in supporting energy justice concerns and prioritise them in outreach work and relevant strategies. Furthermore, this point also relates to how future local energy schemes can relate more productively to marginalised ‘energy peripheries’ going forward [43] , [44] , alongside being integral to targeted and area-based approaches to spreading the benefits of future local energy schemes to communities in areas of high deprivation.…”

Increasing response rates and improving research design: Learnings from the Smart Energy Research Lab in the United Kingdom

“…For example, harnessing the potential flexibility of demand response will be key for supporting system operation [1]. Identifying households in fuel poverty or at risk of missing out on technological advancements or green policy incentives will be vital for transitioning to net zero both successfully and fairly [2]. Managing increases and time shifts in energy demand from the electrification of heat and transport will become increasingly important as electrification becomes more mainstream [3].…”