Abstract
Co-creation in the societal sphere is becoming important in many parts of the world. However, empirical analysis of co-creation in local energy transitions has been understudied. This paper aims to contribute to the field of local energy transitions by integrating a model-based approach with the municipal co-creation efforts in a local energy transition setting. The study uses a mixed-methods approach, with both quantitative and qualitative methods underpinning the approach. A System Dynamics (SD) model is built to analyse the feedback loops created by the co-creation efforts of the municipalities in Skåne, Sweden to increase the uptake of household solar photovoltaics. Simultaneously, the model is conceptualized and built in coordination with the municipality actors, and qualitative validation provided by them. An iterative process is implemented, consisting of three steps: interaction with the municipality actors (MAs), developing the causal relationships between the model variables and model development. The suggestions and discussions with the MAs were very useful in understanding the social factors and processes which help in the diffusion of a technologically innovative product, such as solar PV. The MAs said that they found the explanation of the modelling variables useful in undertaking the co-creation efforts.
Highlights
The need for societies to be innovative to tackle the challenges of the 21st century is increasing which in turn has led to research and development funding going towards the creation of resilient and innovative societies
The aspects of co-creation undertaken in the local energy transitions study can be explored through a model that can capture the transitions dynamics, as shown in Section 4: Model Development Process
The inclusion of the real-life actors, in this case the municipality actors (MAs), in the model building process and the iterative linking of the real-world case to the model variables and the System Dynamics (SD) model is a methodological outcome of this study
Summary
The need for societies to be innovative to tackle the challenges of the 21st century is increasing which in turn has led to research and development funding going towards the creation of resilient and innovative societies. This is inherently connected to co-creation and social innovation, especially in the public sphere in welfare states. Energy and the broader sustainability transitions research has emerged in the last two decades as a response to the dire need to change the systems of production and consumption in place. Over the last two decades, there have been sustained and transformative changes in energy systems, mostly driven by renewable energy technologies [3]. These renewable energy technologies are only partly driven by established incumbent players; with the rest being spurred on by decentralised renewable energy installations
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