Energy & Society 2018 call for panellists: Workshop on “Devolution and defection in energy networks”
The UCL Energy Institute PACE Group is organising a workshop at this year’s Energy & Society conference entitled “Devolution and defection in energy networks”. While transition to an increasingly decentralized energy system has many potential environmental, social and system benefits, a range of negative and unintended social consequences are also envisaged (see abstract below). These will be the focus on the workshop discussion.
We are now seeking ~5panellists to join the workshop, who will give a five-minute ‘perspective statement’ (following a scene-setting introduction by the organizers) and then participate in an audience discussion session. Ideally we would like to include viewpoints on a range of networks (e.g. electricity, gas, heat, or combinations of these, etc.) and from a range of perspectives. These might include, but are not limited to: energy justice; political ecology; historical; legal/policy/regulatory; geographical; economics; sociological; philosophical. As well as having a thought-provoking discussion, we would like everyone to leave the workshop with an idea of what the priorities for research in this area might be, and with the opportunity to connect existing research efforts or explore new collaborations.
If you would like to put yourself forward as a panellist (or have any questions about doing so), please email Michael Fell () by Thursday 10 Mayand include a few lines about the perspective you would hope to bring to the session. With this call we are targeting people who are already expected to attend the Energy & Society conference, but please feel free to pass this on to others who you think could be interested/appropriate.
Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Michael Fell and UCL Energy Institute PACE Group
Abstract
There is a trend towards decentralization in energy networks in OECD countries, as demonstrated by growth in small-scale distributed solar photovoltaic systems. Falling prices for generation/storage technology, combined with the emergence of new market structures such as peer-to-peer energy trading, suggest this trend will continue. Decentralization has many benefits, including the potential to reduce distribution losses or support community cohesion. However, it also presents challenges. Currently costs and risks associated with supplying energy are largely socialized across millions of network participants. As communities or individuals are able to become increasingly independent – or even defect from grids altogether – thecosts of running the existing infrastructure will be borne on fewer shoulders. Those left behind may not able to afford the technology that would allow them to defect or participate in new markets. The workshop will provide a forum for discussion of the challenges presented by devolution and defection in energy networks, with the aim of informing future research directions. The format will be an scene-setting presentation by the workshop organizers, followed by brief comments from invited experts in fields such as environmental justice and political ecology. The remainder of the session will be for moderated audience debate and discussion.