Socio-energy systems design: A policy framework for energy transitions

Miller, Clark A.; Richter, Jennifer; O’Leary, Jason

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2014.11.004

Cited by 194 publications

(89 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…As Miller, Richter and O'Leary [110] point out, for many decades energy policy institutions have operated out of the public eye and with minimal public involvement, and now face new challenges as the public becomes more attentive and responsive to energy choices. Transitions in socio-energy systems, particularly concerning large-scale energy infrastructure and contentious technologies such as nuclear power, produce wide ranging social impacts and result in power reconfigurations across communities.…”

Section: Place-based Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When considered in terms of energy and societies, the definition becomes gains complexity and integrates numerous themes. In their recent article on socio-energy systems, Miller, Richter and O'Leary [110] describe the nature of energy systems and energy transitions as being deeply socially, economically and politically embedded. They describe justice in terms of human outcome distribution, i.e.…”

Section: Fairness and Justicementioning

confidence: 99%

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Conceptualizing a social sustainability framework for energy infrastructure decisions

Whitton

Parry

Akiyoshi

et al. 2015

Energy Research & Social Science

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a b s t r a c tThe concept of social sustainability is discussed in a wide range of literatures, from urban planning to international development. Authors agree a notion of social sustainability is difficult to define, comprising numerous component parts (criteria), such as community cohesion, human wellbeing, effective dialogue and the access that citizens have to those that make important decisions on their behalf. The definition and measurement of these criteria and the role of social sustainability in energy decision making is a contentious issue. We argue that a community led, asset based approach is required to achieve any sense of how social sustainability can be defined in a community setting within the context of energy developments. We propose a conceptual framework based on a process of community group prioritization and visioning. Our earlier research on public participation and the role of dialogue for nuclear energy development in the UK, US and Japan is used to demonstrate barriers to be overcome if our systemic model of social sustainability is to become a reality. We highlight the importance of fairness and justice, place based approaches and socio-energy systems, concluding that these are necessary to promote a community and institutional awareness of social sustainability for large energy developments.

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Section: Place-based Approachesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Fairness and Justicementioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptualizing a social sustainability framework for energy infrastructure decisions

Whitton

Parry

Akiyoshi

et al. 2015

Energy Research & Social Science

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…As Miller et al [62] assert, energy policy institutions have operated out of the public eye and with minimal public involvement for many decades. However, they now face new challenges as the public becomes more knowledgeable of, attentive, and responsive to energy choices.…”

Section: "The Side Effect Of These Developments Was a Slow And Reluctmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) Public Dialogue Pilot (2015) for new nuclear build in the UK: lessons for engagement theory and practice

et al. 2016

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We have discussed previously that a community-based, asset-based approach is required to achieve any sense of how social sustainability can be defined in a community setting within the context of energy developments. Our approach aims to initiate a lasting change within 'energy' communities through building social capital; focusing on community assets not deficits to define their social priorities. Through deliberation, we develop an understanding of social sustainability so that a community is well placed to enter discussions with government and industry regarding large energy developments that will directly affect them.We review the 2015 Generic Design Assessment (GDA) Public Dialogue Pilot process for potential new nuclear reactors in the UK. We examine the aims of the dialogue, giving particular attention to a comparison between the national sampling of citizens for the GDA and the local community-based, deliberative approach we have proposed previously. We find an ongoing tension between 'national' engagement processes (such as the GDA Public Dialogue Pilot process) and the specific requirements of those energy communities that live adjacent or close to energy infrastructure, manifested here by a conflict between the requirements of the convenor and those of participants regarding priority issues for discussion. We also reveal a paradox; despite participant Society for Radiological Protection

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“…The concept of sustainability transitions has been applied in several areas of relevant literature, including transitions management [6], resilience and transformation [7] and energy policy [8,9]. While the conceptual and operational definitions of transition vary between and even within these bodies of literature, transitions in general are defined as gradual processes of societal change.…”

Section: Transitions and Transition Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Water Sensitive Cities in the Colorado River Basin: A Comparative Historical Analysis to Inform Future Urban Water Sustainability Transitions

et al. 2017

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Many population centers in the American West rely on water from the Colorado River Basin, which has faced shortages in recent years that are anticipated to be exacerbated by climate change. Shortages to urban water supplies related to climate change will not be limited to cities dependent on the Colorado River. Considering this, addressing sustainable water governance is timely and critical for cities, states, and regions facing supply shortages and pollution problems. Engaging in sustainability transitions of these hydro-social systems will increase the ability of such systems to meet the water needs of urban communities. In this paper, we identify historical transitions in water governance and examine their context for three sites in the Colorado River Basin (Denver, Colorado, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona) to provide insight for intentional transitions towards sustainable, or "water sensitive" cities. The comparative historical approach employed allows us to more fully understand differences in present-day water governance decisions between the sites, identify past catalysts for transitions, and recognize emerging patterns and opportunities that may impact current and future water governance in the Colorado River Basin and beyond.

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Socio-energy systems design: A policy framework for energy transitions

Cited by 194 publications

References 36 publications

Conceptualizing a social sustainability framework for energy infrastructure decisions

Conceptualizing a social sustainability framework for energy infrastructure decisions

A review of the Generic Design Assessment (GDA) Public Dialogue Pilot (2015) for new nuclear build in the UK: lessons for engagement theory and practice

Towards Water Sensitive Cities in the Colorado River Basin: A Comparative Historical Analysis to Inform Future Urban Water Sustainability Transitions

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