PaDiSo - Participation in the digitalised energy system through social innovation

• Prof. Dr. Dr. Martina Schäfer

• Dr. Sabine Hielscher
• Emilia Nagy

German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)

January 2022 – December 2024

• Institute for Ecological Economic Research (IÖW)
• Energieavantgarde Anhalt e.V.

Centralised fossil fuel energy systems seem to be a thing of the past and work on the decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation of these systems has partly taken their place. Where centralised, large-scale energy systems once prevailed, diverse actors such as prosumers, energy cooperatives and local electricity trading platform operators have joined in trying to shape and accelerate energy transitions. These processes are linked to fundamental changes in rules and norms, social relationships and organisational forms of how to produce, supply and consume energy.

In order to better understand these transformation processes, the analysis of social innovation in energy (SIE) is of importance. PaDiSo examines the institutional environment and actor constellations that influence the emergence and development of social innovation in the energy system. On the one hand, the aim is to identify strategies and potentials that enable SIE actors to successfully cope with current and future adaptation requirements and contribute to making energy transitions just and sustainable in a proactive and formative way.

In addition, the emergence and development of social innovation in energy processes are examined, whilst particularly focusing on regional challenges and opportunities and ways to overcome and learn from them. The conduction of case study work and learning workshops is aimed at empowering regional actors to take new approaches, build networks and strengthen their commitment to fostering just and sustainable energy transitions. The results are compiled in case study reports and a transformation manual. These are discussed in various formats with interested stakeholders from civil society, policy makers and energy industry actors.

The ZTG is leading WP2, in which existing approaches to social innovation in energy are examined based on case study work. In WP4, the ZTG leads the three internal evaluation workshops, the reflection workshop, and the joint development of a regional transformation manual, supporting social innovation in energy to emerge and develop.

Area
Climate and Energy