Smart grids, smart households, smart neighborhoods – contested narratives of prosumage and decentralization in Berlin’s urban Energiewende

Quitzow, Leslie

doi:10.1080/13511610.2022.2057934

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

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“…For the future of energy distribution systems worldwide, scholars have highlighted a remarkably unanimous consensus among policymakers and technology developers: the future energy grid must be smart (Quitzow and Rohde, 2021;Skjølsvold et al, 2015). Smart grids are considered not only a promising path towards low-carbon transition, but also capable of increasing economic prosperity and attracting wellpaying jobs (Envall, 2021;Quitzow, 2022). Furthermore, against increasing geopolitical instability, the ongoing liberalization of energy markets, and climate change, smart grids appear as a universal tool capable of addressing numerous social and technical challenges of our times.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A situated governmentality approach to energy transitions: technologies of power in German and Indian smart grid strategies

Büttner,

Barning

2023

Geogr. Helv.

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Abstract. Around the world, smart grids are emerging as a universal tool to address a wide range of social and technical problems facing energy systems. Despite considerable research on these systems, the ways they differ in the local (re)production of power relations have so far been little discussed. This paper fills this gap by developing a “situated governmentality approach” in conversation with the critique of Foucauldian governmentality studies. By applying this approach to smart grid strategies in Germany (Smart Energy Showcases – Digital Agenda for the Energiewende, SINTEG) and India (National Smart Grid Mission, NSGM), we identify different ways in which power is mediated through situated governmentalities. While SINTEG employs technologies of power that promote a disciplinary regime, the exercise of power in the case of the NSGM displays many elements of a digitally enhanced sovereign approach. The findings reveal the range of governmental programmes that can be realized through smart grids and open up a perspective on the situated functioning of smart grids in energy transitions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A situated governmentality approach to energy transitions: technologies of power in German and Indian smart grid strategies

Büttner,

Barning

2023

Geogr. Helv.

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The “four Ds” and support for Local Smart Grids: analysis from national surveys in the UK and Canada

Walker,

Rowlands,

Devine-Wright

et al. 2024

Oxford Open Energy

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Local Smart Grids (LSGs) are emerging during the climate crisis, as governments and industry recognize the need to better integrate intermittent renewable energy, storage, transportation, heating, and smart technologies. Such projects can represent profound changes to the status quo of energy and citizen lifestyles. They are also being associated with the ‘4 Ds’, whereby LSGs are decarbonizing, decentralizing, digitalizing, and potentially democratizing energy systems. Yet due to their recent arrival, there is very little social scientific research that has aimed to better understand the views, expectations, and support for this change. We attempt to fill this important gap in the literature through the analysis of two nationally representative surveys in the United Kingdom (UK) (n=3034) and Canada (n=941). This analysis highlights within and between-country trends, including how the variation in responses regarding the ‘four Ds’, demographic factors, and other variables may explain the differences we see in terms of support for energy system change in the UK and Canada. Our analysis also shows that there are common elements including the importance of the decentralization, and especially the democratization of energy in shaping support. We hope that this study will help governments, industry, community groups, and local residents themselves in both countries come together to advance the kind of LSGs that address climate change, and represent a supported, just energy transition.

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Involvement of Local Authorities in the Protection of Residents’ Health in the Light of the Smart City Concept on the Example of Polish Cities

Wielicka-Gańczarczyk

Jonek-Kowalska

2023

Smart Cities

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According to the modern guidelines of the Smart City (SC) concept, smart cities are not only cities that are above average in terms of technology, but first and foremost are focused on the needs of their residents. A key need for quality of life is taking care of health, including education, prevention, and access to medical infrastructure. In the context of the given circumstances, this article seeks to answer the following research question: What is the level of involvement of local authorities in protecting the health of residents in Polish cities in the context of the Smart City concept? The involvement of local authorities in healthcare is considered in five aspects: (1) monitoring of residents’ health needs; (2) health education; (3) preventive healthcare; (4) healthcare infrastructure; and (5) environment and recreation. To obtain answers to the above research problem, surveys were conducted at the local government level in 399 Polish cities. The research utilized statistical measures of central tendency, indices of variation, and measures of interdependence. The results allow formulating the following key conclusions: (1) most of the surveyed cities do not monitor the health needs of their residents, contrary to the recommendations of the SC concept; (2) cities take measures to protect the health of their residents, but these are focused on sports and recreation; (3) the most neglected health areas are health education and environmental and climate protection. The level of involvement of the city authorities in protecting the health of residents is therefore quite low and is mainly image-related. The lack of monitoring of the expectations of the local community has a negative impact on the effectiveness of healthcare activities and the real improvement in the quality of urban life. Meanwhile, according to research results, cooperation with residents and care for meeting their needs is an important determinant of the effectiveness of healthcare. Given the above conditions, it is difficult to be effective both in terms of improving the quality of life of residents and developing fully sustainable smart cities. The research also shows that the involvement of the city authorities in holistic pro-health activities increases with the size of the city, which means that larger entities are more aware of cooperation with stakeholders and the importance of health for quality of life. Therefore, they are better prepared to implement the assumptions of the Smart City concept. The originality and scientific value of the conducted analysis will help fill the research gap in identifying the health determinants of Smart City development and assessing the involvement of city authorities in protecting the health of residents in a multifaceted perspective.

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Smart grids, smart households, smart neighborhoods – contested narratives of prosumage and decentralization in Berlin’s urban Energiewende

Cited by 3 publications

References 17 publications

A situated governmentality approach to energy transitions: technologies of power in German and Indian smart grid strategies

A situated governmentality approach to energy transitions: technologies of power in German and Indian smart grid strategies

The “four Ds” and support for Local Smart Grids: analysis from national surveys in the UK and Canada

Involvement of Local Authorities in the Protection of Residents’ Health in the Light of the Smart City Concept on the Example of Polish Cities

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