Localism and energy: Negotiating approaches to embedding resilience in energy systems

Abstract

Tensions are evident in energy policy objectives between centralised top-down interconnected energy systems and localised distributed approaches. Examination of these tensions indicates that a localised approach can address a systemic problem of interconnected systems; namely vulnerability.The challenge for energy policy is to realise the interrelated goals of energy security, climate and environmental targets and social and economic issues such as fuel poverty, whilst mitigating vulnerability. The effectiveness of conventional approaches is debateable. A transition to a low carbon pathway should focus on resilience, counter to vulnerability. This article draws from on-going work which evaluates the energy aspects of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) project to refurbish and re-build a local authority"s entire stock of sheltered accommodation to high environmental standards. Initial findings suggest that whereas more conventional procurement processes tend to increase systemic vulnerability, a user focussed process driven through PFI competitive dialogue is beginning to motivate some developers to adopt innovative approaches to energy system development.

Informal microfinance institutions and development-led tourism entrepreneurship

“…It does not always produce desired outcomes (Pretty & Ward, 2001). In the face of threats that may prevent desired outcomes, resilience enables the organization to adapt by improvising (Coutu, 2002) and utilizing indigenous resources to respond to these threats (O'Brien & Hope, 2010). This adaptive ability, in the case of IMFIs, provides opportunities for individual entrepreneur members (Jones, 2005) to create resilient STFs (Biggs, Hall, & Stoeckl, 2012;Sullivan-Taylor & Wilson, 2009).…”

Mapping and Measuring European Local Governments’ Priorities for a Sustainable and Low-Carbon Energy Future

“…At the same time wealthy cities give high priority to issues related to energy security supply, enhancing their resilience to any energy supply disturbances while minimizing any negative effects to their economy, as it has been also discussed by other authors [10,26]. It needs to be further studied, if there is any causality in these relationships.…”

Ketahanan Masyarakat terhadap Ancaman Krisis Energi Listrik di Kabupaten Lampung Selatan, Provinsi Lampung

“…Dalam konteks krisis energi listrik, perlu dilakukan upaya-upaya sebagai bentuk tanggapan terhadap permasalahan publik. Sistem energi merupakan produk hasil satu kesatuan berbagai upaya dari faktor sosial ekonomi masyarakat, ketersediaan sumber energi, tantangan pengelolaan, kapasitas teknologi pengelolaan dan distribusi, dan arahan kebijakan pengelolaan dan distribusinya (O'Brien & Hope, 2010). Oleh karena itu, keberadaan kebijakan penting untuk mengantisipasi pembangunan terhadap ancaman krisis energi listrik yang diakibatkan kurangnya pasokan listrik.…”