Designing for justice in electricity systems: A comparison of smart grid experiments in the Netherlands

Christine Milchram,Rolf Künneke,Neelke Doorn,Geerten Van De Kaa,Rafaela Hillerbrand

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111720

Christine Milchram, Rolf Künneke + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111720

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Abstract

In future urban energy systems, smart grid systems will be crucial for the integration of renewable energy. However, their deployment has moral implications, for example regarding data privacy, user autonomy, or distribution of responsibilities. ‘Energy justice’ is one of the most comprehensive frameworks to address these implications, but remains limited regarding smart grids, and regarding concrete guidelines for designers and policymakers. In this paper, we fill this gap by answering the following research question: How do design choices in smart grid projects impact energy justice? Thereby, four smart grid pilot projects are evaluated in a comparative qualitative case study research design. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and a content analysis. Our findings contribute to the energy justice literature with insights regarding the design for distributive, recognition, and procedural justice. They underscore the importance of fairness in data governance, participatory design, user control and autonomy, technology inclusiveness, and the design for expansion and replication. Future research should explore the feasibility to govern smart grids as commons and the relationship between trust and perceptions of justice. We conclude with policy recommendations for funding future smart grid experiments and for facilitating the implementation of storage through electricity sector regulation.

Highlights

In the transition to low-carbon energy supply, urban electricity sys tems need to become more flexible (Muench et al, 2014; Powells and Fell, 2019; Verbong et al, 2013)
Four smart grid pilot projects in the Netherlands served as cases: A virtual power plant in Amsterdam, a community battery storage pilot in Rijsenhout (CBS), a local energy market in Hoog Dalem (LEM), and the project ‘Gridflex’ in Heeten (GF)
CBS was chosen because it works with social housing tenants, LEM because it was started on household initiative, and GF because it is led by an energy cooperative under a legal exemption

Summary

Introduction

In the transition to low-carbon energy supply, urban electricity sys tems need to become more flexible (Muench et al, 2014; Powells and Fell, 2019; Verbong et al, 2013). To match supply and demand, a range of flexibility-providing units can be applied (Eid, 2017) These are storage systems to use electricity at different times than it was produced or avoid the purchase of electricity from the grid during peak hours (Geelen et al, 2013); smart household appliances (e.g. heating/cooling systems, white goods), which automatically shift operation to times when renewable energy is available; or variable tariffs, which incentivize consumers to shift their electricity use to times when renewable supply is available or away from times of peak demand (Warren, 2014). Smart metering provides (near) real-time information on electricity supply, distribution, demand, and storage, and bidirectional communication of data to and from end users (Warren, 2014) This is needed for monitoring and control systems to visualize electricity flows. Home energy management systems (HEMS) and their user interfaces (e.g. in-home displays, apps, web portals) provide end-users information on electricity flows and the possibility to steer their electricity use (Wilson et al, 2015)

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