Local reflections on low-carbon energy systems: A systematic review of actors, processes, and networks of local societies

• Published in: Energy research & social science Vol. 42; pp. 170 - 181
• Main Authors: Balest, Jessica, Pisani, Elena, Vettorato, Daniele, Secco, Laura
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-08-2018
• Subjects: Acceptance; Renewable energy; Social science; Territory; Territory; Acceptance; Renewable energy; Social science
• ISSN: 2214-6296; 2214-6326
• DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.03.006

•Local actors make energy choices that are low carbon or not.•We focus conflict and acceptance in face to renewable energies.•We quantitatively and qualitatively analyse 168 publications.•Social system addresses low carbon energy system according to the literature.•Word of mouth, predisposition of collaboration, and social influence processes.
Local population actions determine the level of renewability of local energy systems in the context of energy transition goals. Local population makes energy choices based on the availability of different territorial resources and limits, i.e. natural or environmental, technological, and social ones. The aim of this research is to identify the main dimensions and aspects of territory that can address its change towards energy transition. Indeed, energy system is not only technology matter. Socio-energy and territorial approaches (Osti, 2010; Jessop et al., 2008 [2]) underline the importance of features and relationships between the territorial systems: natural, technological, economic, legislative, social, and cultural ones. This research identifies substantial, procedural, and relational dimensions or characteristics of territorial energy systems based on the Conflict Management Triangle (European Forest Institute, 1996).
1084 journal papers have been selected based on specific criteria, allowing 168 papers to be analyzed using NVIVO11plus®. Following the qualitative and quantitative method applied for the systematized literature review, 15 dimensions and 41 sub-dimensions related to local population choices about energy transition have been selected. This is a scientific attempt to use a content analysis software (NVIVO11plus) in this scientific domain.