Distributed Energy, Community Engagement & Resilience

June 21-23, 2009, US IAEE International Conference, Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Francisco, CA

AGENDA

Historical ContextSurvey RepresentationsThematic AnalysesDiscussion & Conclusions

Greetings – Purpose of Research“Intelligent Grid-Distributed Energy” -CSIRO’s Energy

Transformed Flagship.Effectiveness:Public Participation – Planning Energy

Security.Community Engagement – Western Power.Economic, socio-political - Transition IG-DE.

“intelligent electricity grid has a minimal amount of waste and a highly efficient use of power. It is an electricity network that uses distributed energy resources (e.g. solar, wind, biomass, hydro, tidal and wave) and advanced communication and control technologies to deliver electricity more cost-effectively, with lower greenhouse intensity and in response to consumer needs” (http://igrid.net.au/).

Theoretical & Conceptual Framework

Political theory – Deliberation.Inayatullah’s (2004) Causal Layered Analysis “interpretation-social context” –transition.Western Power - community engagement.• Community Outrage – blackouts.• New Corporate Values.

Edge of Grid - 22kv sub-station.Distance – Spike peak load – unreliable!

Economic Concerns of Community

Business Sector - loss of income.Frustrated - “third world energy supply”. Energy Security - hinderseconomic growth!New Developments – rejected Planning authorities. Economic Survival – secure & reliable energy.

POWER WORKING GROUPManagement; Project officer – typical stakeholders “Power Working group”

bi-monthly planning forum! 14 -community A - 3 community B.

key government organizations -expertise.

Community A -environmental activists, Greens Politician & supporters (Values). Community B –CEO, Local Councillor, G/Agency representative – neutral!

IG-DE on the AgendaWIN – Halt Plans – Line Upgrades.AGENDA- LEARNING CURVE –knowledge – Suite Technological Options - institutional governance operations – deployment.CHAIRED - Technological learning curve & inexperienced!Observe - MODEL – engaging other communities.

Differences – Community Representation

knowledge & social capital – community A – Expertise - renewable energy systems.

Social capital “networks people belong to -access & awareness to knowledge & resources to respond to energy issues and climate change”.

Early adopters > 20 years -politically influential network.Entrepreneurs- sustainable energy initiatives:

Model energy efficient building; Centre for Sustainable Living

Community Experience with IG-DECommunity Wind Farm Inc – 50% 2 wind turbines [800kw/±5 GWh].Community A – expertise energy solutions!

numbers, status & expertise –power & influence –initiatives -feasibility studies!

Community B - lack expertise!numbers - Facilitation skills –needs heard!

Evaluation Methodology - Interviews & SurveyRATE: 9 statements.1=poor; 2=satisfactory; 3=neutral; 4=good; 5= excellent. Table 1 -“This committee is set up to represent the wishes of the community”.Divided! Green Innovations “needs & aspirations”!Feedback & Follow-up.Community reactions –PWG Initiatives!

Community Wishes

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 2 3 4 5

Poor to ExcellentPe

rcen

tage

Res

pond

ents

Series1

Table 2 -“The meetings are well facilitated by an independent facilitator”.

Negative - impartiality.

Powerful - Regulatory & Economic interests!

Conflict of interests!

Priorities

Limited –Statutory/Economic.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1 2 3 4 5

Perc

enta

ge o

f Res

pson

dent

s

Poor to Excellent

Independent Facilitation

Series1

Table 3 - Meetings are structured to provide opportunities for good levels of informed discussion of the issues?”.

Positive- Facilitation -informed discussions.Community A – Powerful –Empowered - deliberative. Community B –disempowerment/alienation.Dominated – Neutral Facilitator – Disengage.Lack Experience – Rely Experienced.Aware – changes.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1 2 3 4 5

Perc

enta

gePoor to Excellent

Informed Discussion

Motivations - Analyses of ThemesTheme 1: Sense of Community & Attachment to Place.Greater SOC & ATP – plan energy initiatives -sustainability paradigm!. Commitment - green strategic solutions “strong bonds to community, affinity to geographic beauty of their environment & to do what is morally right for the environment and the planet.

Environmentalists: sustainability principles -tackle climate change. Pragmatists – economic reasons!. Business - ‘green advantage’ - marketing strategy.

Divergent Motivations – Utility’s FocusMotivation - IG-DE solutions – markedly!Economic Imperatives – alternative strategies –viable.

Reduce PEAK LOAD!Achievable –Economic, Regulatory & Statutory.

Impacts Divergent Motivations:Frustration - excessive time lag - public institution!18 mths - 10% emissions reductions targetDSM– CFL/EE appliance, smart metering;fuel switching & load control trials.

Community Acceptance of Technological Soslutions

INITIATIVE: Community Wind Farm project –50% funding – generate community Shares.

SUPPORTED – Siting – rejected outright.CONGRATULATED.ATTRIBUTED:

community stakeholder representation; consultation/feedback; time process of approval.

Political Mood - IG-DE solutions solve power issues?

Theme 2 – Local Governance Dynamics

Community Engagement – EFFECTIVE?Trust - working relationship! Community A.Positive attitudes – Respond concerns.SPARKED- Community Education!– Awareness - access information &

advice– rebates, actions -reduce energy

consumption, local generation RE.Campaign - reducing energy consumption & ghg emissions – Community A.

Multi-Level ChangesLOBBIED politicians– Regulatory & institutional barriers

(Utility – Generators).– funding DSM strategies. – Feed in Tariffs

Cultural Transformation – mindsets!Energy Minister & Utility – IG-DE solutions. CHANGES: individual, community & societal level.

NO SO POSITIVE:Facilitation – Power dynamics -not addressed. – Powerful – dominate - visions and priorities!– Less Powerful – exclusion & participation

constrained.CHANGES – POWER WORKING GROUP– Location meetings & Chair – Rotated.– Attract Participants & AGENDA!

Validity Decision Making?– Over-estimated - community acceptance –

Strategic planning.– Highly Representative Process!

Deliberative DemocracyOPPOSING GROUPS: Acceptance - wind farm!

Anti-development solution!Barrier - economic growth & development.

Carson & Hartz-Karp (2005) “without a very inclusive sample, the process will lack credibility amongst those who should be influenced”. Consensus NOT NECESSARY!

Carson (2009) “exposure of conflicts to provide the opportunity to understand it, in order to move respectfully”.

Discussions – Community Engagement

EMPOWERING- Powerful stakeholders!VIGILANT - power & inclusivity.

COLLABORATION – beneficial - IG-DE solutions. Mindset changes - community aspirations -sustainable energy transition. Community A – leading - local generation RE sources.

Behavioural Strategies: Energy Consumption & GHG Emissions.Community Representatives – institutional mindset– HURDLES!

BARRIERS: Transition toward IG-DE options.

UTILITY–political, economic & regulatory constraints.Excessive time lag - concept & deployment!Community Wide Acceptance – DE solutions!

DEMONSTRATE - economic growth not curtailed!Local opposition!

MACRO – socio-political, economic!Global Economic Crisis - political will!

Emissions trading schemeTargets - Emission & RE – global action!Subsidies- Solar panels – Expensive!

Community Action – Energy PlanningPolitical Leadership!Grassroots action! - Technological innovation!LOCAL LEVEL: Twin Demands:

Reduce - ghg emissions & energy consumption!Growth - energy demand.

Environmentalists: small scale efforts!Developers:- current & future - security!ENERGY SECURITY - sustainable energy sources –NOT curtail economic growth!!Community Engagement!

Conclusion:WORK IN PROGRESS – opportunity Utilities!INSIGHTS – enhance/inhibit!Successful Transition:

Dynamics - sectors of ‘civil society’ - different interests at work!

McKenzie & Howes (2006)“community engagement is the central feature of a robust Renewable Energy industry”...the process facilitates ‘transfer of information about the technology so that people can make an informed choice’... particularly if “some sense of community ownership and involvement is maintained” (Hanley & Nevin 1999, p. 536).

Thank you

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