Energy Citizenship in New Energy Concepts

Wees, Mark van; Revilla, Beatriz Pineda; Fitzgerald, Helena; Ahlers, Dirk; Romero, Natalia; Alpagut, Beril; Kort, J.R.; Tjahja, Cyril; Kaiser, Gabi; Blessing, Viktoria; Patrício, Lia

doi:10.3390/environsciproc2021011027

Cited by 2 publications

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“…The involvement of citizens and energy communities is seen as a key pillar of the energy transition process [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Citizens interact with the technical energy systems, since they are both the subject and object of social innovation in the energy society, and they are emerging economic actors in the energy markets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The role of citizens and citizen organisations in both driving and facilitating the energy transition towards climate neutrality and inclusivity has gained much attention among scientists, local policy makers, and the private sector. It is in this context where the notion of "energy citizenship" arises, as a placeholder for new social roles and responsibilities for citizens in an energy system in constant transformation [2][3][4][5][6]12]. The term energy citizenship represents the active participation of citizens in the energy system-such as adopting renewable technologies, joining energy communities, supporting local initiatives, and participating in policy decision-making [13] and in the energy economy in their multiple roles as users, protesters, supporters or prosumers, and involving energy consciousness and literacy as well as sustainable energy practices [8,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Energy Citizenship in Positive Energy Districts—Towards a Transdisciplinary Approach to Impact Assessment

et al. 2022

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It is commonly assumed by the projects demonstrating concepts for positive energy districts in cities across Europe that citizens want and need to be involved in the development of these concepts as an essential condition for positive energy districts to be deployed successfully and to achieve the expected societal goals. Six different research and innovation projects are investigating the different forms of energy citizenship in positive energy districts and their impacts. They aim to apply a transdisciplinary approach to collaborative research and to impact assessment. The interim results are described, and preliminary conclusions on impact are drawn. The projects each used different approaches to engaging citizens, while differentiating between different groups. Progress is monitored but only fragmentary evidence on the impact has been gathered. Transdisciplinary approaches are being developed but are still immature.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Citizenship in Positive Energy Districts—Towards a Transdisciplinary Approach to Impact Assessment

et al. 2022

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Green Transition and Electricity Sector Decarbonization: The Case of West Macedonia

et al. 2023

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During the last 50 years, the vast majority of European countries have relied on coal and imported carbon-containing fuels to meet their growing electricity demand. Coal is the only fossil fuel in significant reserves across Europe. However, the pressing threat of radical climate change and the looming depletion of fossil fuels necessitate a structural transformation from a conventional centralized fossil fuel-based electricity generation system to an innovative decentralized system based on zero carbon (green) energy resources. In this context, one important issue for communities operating coal-based Thermal Power Stations (TPS) nearing retirement is whether the European Union (EU) policy can ensure a socially just development of the coal mining areas during the coal phase-out. The objective is to avoid a decline in living standards and mass immigration. In response to the EU’s decarbonization policy, the Greek state has recently decided to retire the lignite-based West Macedonia TPS, which has been in operation since the 1970s. Since its establishment in August 1950, the (initially State-controlled) Greek Public Power Corporation (PPC) has undertaken the responsibility to operate the quarries and the six local TPS, offering approximately 25,000 direct and indirect jobs. Over the last 50 years, the extraction of lignite and the operation of the 4500 MWe TPS of West Macedonia has been the primary economic activity, accounting for nearly 45% of the entire Region’s GDP. While both the Greek state and the EU have prepared and presented plans to financially support local communities and encourage new private and public investments, local citizens remain anxious about their future. The present study investigates the attitude of young scientists towards the forthcoming radical changes linked to the green transition in seriously affected EU Regions, with a focus on West Macedonia. The proposed analysis in West Macedonia reveals the skepticism of young people regarding the speed of the green transition and concerns about significant migration and potential brain drain. On the other hand, the implementation of EU initiatives, including the involvement of young scientists in the planned new green energy-related activities, offers a promising alternative solution. This engagement can lead to the successful integration of local communities into the sustainable and green future envisioned by the EU.

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Energy Citizenship in New Energy Concepts

Cited by 2 publications

References 6 publications

Energy Citizenship in Positive Energy Districts—Towards a Transdisciplinary Approach to Impact Assessment

Energy Citizenship in Positive Energy Districts—Towards a Transdisciplinary Approach to Impact Assessment

Green Transition and Electricity Sector Decarbonization: The Case of West Macedonia

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