... A FORUM TO STIMULATE DEBATE ... ... JUST ADD A COMMENT AT ANY ENTRY BELOW... ... FOR THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TOWN AND VALLEY ...

Sunday, 26 March 2017

Sidmouth Climate Week: Harnessing Community Energies: Prospects for a community-based transition to low carbon energy sources

Yesterday, Prof Patrick Devine-Wright of the University of Exeter joined Prof Richard Green to talk energy at the last of the Climate Week events;
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Climate Week: Saturday 25th March >>> How low can energy costs get? How can communities get control of their energy? And how can we get to low-carbon energy?

Prof Devine-Wright is particularly interested in communities involved in energy production:
community-based low carbon energy Devine-Wright, Exeter - Google Scholar

He's looked at the conflicts of interest, for example:
Lessons_from_the_severn_barrage.pdf

Currently, he's teaching a very interesting course at the University:


NIMBYism and the Low Carbon Transition

The module is an opportunity to develop your understanding of key social and spatial challenges involved in the transition of energy technologies and infrastructures towards low carbon energy sources (e.g. wind, solar, tidal). 

The implications of large and small-scale (centralised and decentralised) low carbon energy systems for the roles and practices afforded to members of the public within this transition are discussed, with publics conceived diversely as individuals, households and communities potentially involved in producing as well as consuming electricity. 

Linked to this, the concepts of ‘community energy’ and ‘energy citizenship’ are discussed and linked to specific policy initiatives and research. 

In relation to larger scale energy infrastructure, how local projects are being contested by publics is a key focus for the module, with a predominant interest in the concept of ‘NIMBYism’ – what it means, how it is deployed, by whom and with what implications. 

Criticisms of the concept are discussed and alternative approaches based on issues of place, equity and justice are explored via empirical research and real-world case studies.

Description - Geography - University of Exeter

This is Prof Divine-Wright's profile:
Patrick Devine Wright University of Exeter
.
.
.

No comments: