Energy Democracies for Sustainable Futures

1st Edition - September 29, 2022
Imprint: Academic Press
Editors: Majia Nadesan, Martin J. Pasqualetti, Jennifer Keahey
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 2 7 9 6 - 1
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 2 7 9 7 - 8

Energy Democracies for Sustainable Futures explores how our dominant carbon and nuclear energy assemblages shape conceptions of participation, risk, and in/securities, and how t… Read more

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Energy Democracies for Sustainable Futures explores how our dominant carbon and nuclear energy assemblages shape conceptions of participation, risk, and in/securities, and how they might be reengineered to deliver justice and democratic participation in transitioning energy systems. Chapters assess the economies, geographies and politics of current and future energy landscapes, exposing how dominant assemblages (composed of technologies, strategies, knowledge and authorities) change our understanding of security and risk, and how they these shared understandings are often enacted uncritically in policy. Contributors address integral relationships across the production and government of material and human energies and the opportunities for sustainable and democratic governance.

In addition, the book explores how interest groups advance idealized energy futures and energy imaginaries. The work delves into the role that states, market organizations and civil society play in envisioned energy change. It assesses how risks and security are formulated in relation to economics, politics, ecology, and human health. It concludes by integrating the relationships between alternative energies and governance strategies, including issues of centralization and decentralization, suggesting approaches to engineer democracy into decision-making about energy assemblages.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of figures
List of tables
Contributors
Editors biographies
Contributors biography
Foreword
References
Acknowledgment
Introduction to collection
1: Introduction
2: From prehistoric energy consumption to modern energy politics
3: Energy security and concentrated energy ownership and decision-making
4: Rise of renewables and challenges of energy democratization
5: The social relations of energy governance
6: Directions
References
Further reading
Part I: Imaginaries
Introduction to Part I: Energy imaginaries
1: Introduction
2: Knowledges
3: Futures
4: Conclusions
References
Theme 1: Knowledges
Chapter 1: Serving in the public interest: Samuel Insull and the public service utility imaginary
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: A moral utility—Constructing the public service company
3: Conclusions
References
Chapter 2: Governance and sustainability in distributed energy systems
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Overcoming centralized systems
3: Governance of distributed energy systems
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 3: Energy democracy’s relationship to ecology
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: An energy democracy framework
3: The challenge of integrating ecology/more-than-human into energy democracy
4: Refining the framework
5: Conclusions and future directions
References
Chapter 4: Utopias and dystopias of renewable energy imaginaries
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Imagining renewable energy
3: Performing and practicing renewable energy imaginaries
4: Renewable energy and the cultivation of new subjects
5: Conclusions
References
Chapter 5: Technoregions of insurrection: Decentralizing energy infrastructures and manifesting change at scale
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: From decentralism to technoregionalism
3: Technology, humanity, and ecology
4: Committing to regionalism
5: Technoregions of insurrection
References
Chapter 6: Assemblages of energy and equity: Rearticulating Illich
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Conviviality and counterfoil research
3: Assemblages
4: Conclusions
References
Theme 2: Futures
Chapter 7: Re-imagining energy-society relations: An interactive framework for social movement-based energy-society transformation
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Beyond technical goal setting: What makes just and democratic energy transitions possible?
3: Toward a political economy of transformative change in modern energy
4: Re-imagination experiments: Sustainable Energy Utility and One Less Nuclear Power Plant initiative
5: Conclusions
References
Chapter 8: Democratic governance of fossil fuel decline
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Living examples of democratic decision-making mechanisms
3: Conclusions
References
Chapter 9: Decentralizing energy systems: Political power and shifting power relations in energy ownership
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Decarbonization and decentralization of electricity
3: Political power in electricity systems
4: The state of shifting power
5: Decentralization and democracy
6: Conclusion: What does this mean going forward?
References
Chapter 10: Democratic divergence and the landscape of community solar in the United States
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Defining community solar
3: Energy democracy and community solar
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 11: The emerging energy future(s) of renewable power and electrochemistry: Advancing or undermining energy democracy?
Abstract
1: Reading energy futures through electrochemical interventions
2: Defining electrochemical interventions for decarbonization
3: Core assumptions of electrochemical interventions for decarbonization
4: Emerging energy futures
References
Chapter 12: The future of energy ownership
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Why ownership matters to democracy
3: The future of solar ownership
4: The intricacies and implications of energy ownership
5: The future of energy and democracy
6: So how do we decide?
References
Part II: Transitions
Introduction to Part II: Energy Futures
Theme 1: Organizing
Chapter 13: Energies of resistance? Conceptualizing resistance in and through energy democratization
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Energy/democracy
3: Democratization/resistance
4: Resistance/materiality
5: Conclusions
References
Chapter 14: The role of ownership and governance in democratizing energy: Comparing public, private, and civil society initiatives in England
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Energy democracy: Conceptualizing ownership and engagement
3: Ownership types in England: Private and civic
4: Governance models, voting rights, and AGMs
5: Conclusion: The role of ownership and governance for energy democracy
Appendix
References
Chapter 15: Lessons from electric cooperatives: Evolving participatory governance practices
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Cooperatives and member participation
3: Institutional robustness, instrumental values, and civil society
4: Changing opportunities and expectations for member participation
5: Challenges and opportunities
References
Chapter 16: Bringing democratic transparency to Karachi’s electric sector
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: The problem of electricity supply in Pakistan
3: Democratic transparency
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 17: Energy literacy: Democratizing energy access initiatives in Papua New Guinea
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Context
3: Papua New Guinea
4: The process
5: Outcomes
6: Aiding the transition to energy democracy
References
Theme 2: Communities
Chapter 18: A just development energy transition in India?
Abstract
1: Energy transition woes
2: A just development energy transition in India
3: Just energy democracy
References
Chapter 19: Community adaptation to microgrid alternative energy sources: The case of Puerto Rico
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: An overview of Puerto Rico’s power grid and natural challenges
3: The rise of the microgrid
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 20: Energy democracy movements in Japan
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Renewables as social relations
3: Renewables as people’s power
4: Fukushima in global networks of community power
5: Conclusions
References
Chapter 21: Participatory cartography as a means to facilitate democratic governance of offshore wind power in Brazil
Abstract
1: Introduction and background
2: Materials and methods
3: Findings and discussion
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 22: Energy democracy cooperatives: Opportunities and challenges
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: The lived reality of worker cooperatives
3: Cooperatives and communities
4: Challenges cooperatives face
5: How to run a successful cooperative
6: Cooperatives to change society
7: Conclusions
References
Part III: Risks
Introduction to Part III: Energy risks
1: Introduction
2: Anachronistic assemblages
References
Theme 1: Assemblages
Chapter 23: Situating energy justice: Storytelling risk and resilience in the Navajo Nation
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: An attorney’s observations: Energy landscapes and lines of connection
3: An ethnographer’s observations: The viral pandemic in a deeper historical context
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 24: Will electro-mobility encourage injustices? The case of lithium production in the Argentine Puna
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: Materials and methods
3: Results and discussion
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 25: The limits of authoritarian energy governance: Energy, democracy and public contestation in Turkey
Abstract
Acknowledgments
1: Introduction
2: The multiple manifestations of authoritarian energy governance
3: The emergence of new energy politics via socio-ecological conflicts and resistance
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 26: Hazard or survival: Politics of nuclear energy in Ukraine and Belorussia through the lens of energy democracy
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Nuclear disaster in Chernobyl
3: Democracy energy in post-Chernobyl Europe
4: Energy dominance and energy democracy in Ukraine and Belorussia
5: Conclusions: Energy democracy as an opportunity for Ukraine and Belorussia
References
Chapter 27: Talking points: Narrative strategies to promote nuclear power in Turkey
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Discursive elements
3: Hidden factors
4: Conclusions
References
Chapter 28: Fossilizing renewable energy: The case of wind power in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexico
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: The fossil economy: Energy and capital circulation
3: Renewable energy in Mexico: Cheap energy for economic growth
4: The Isthmus of Tehuantepec: Cheap energy for the industrial sector
5: Conclusions
References
Chapter 29: “Psychic numbing” and the environment: Is this leading to unsustainable energy outcomes in Australia?
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Psychic numbing and climate change in Australia
3: Collective storytelling and action against psychic numbing
References
Theme 2: Security
Chapter 30: Deluxe energy: Newly commodified regimes of luxurious energy
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Deluxe energy
3: Restructuring and creative destruction
4: Public-based energy services V commodified public spaces
5: Conclusions
References
Chapter 31: Does security push democracy out of energy governance?
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Security as a tool of discipline or emancipation
3: The (non-)change of decarbonization
4: The anti-politics of exception and the politics of the extraordinary
5: Conclusions
References
Chapter 32: Global energy transition risks: Evaluating the intergenerational equity of energy transition costs
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Analysis
3: Evaluation
4: Recommendation—Cap-and-invest
5: Conclusions
References
Chapter 33: Democratizing energy through smart grids? Discourses of empowerment vs practices of marginalization
Abstract
1: Smart grids and the empowered consumer
2: From social groups to conditions and practices
3: Configuring users in smart grid projects
4: Concluding points
Funding
References
Chapter 34: Contested scales of democratic decision-making and procedural justice in energy transitions
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Energy democracy, liberal democracy, and justice
3: Wind energy development in Ontario, Canada
4: Unconventional oil and gas development, Colorado, United States
5: Discussion and conclusions
References
Chapter 35: Mind the gap: Citizens, consumers, and unequal participation in global energy transitions
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Deconstructing neoliberal energy citizenship
3: Conclusions
References
Chapter 36: Worse than its reputation? Shortcomings of “energy democracy”
Abstract
1: Introduction: The promising notion of post-carbon energy democracy
2: Asymmetric ownership
3: Unequal participation
4: Diminishing popular sovereignty
5: (Old-time) industrial democracy
6: Conclusions
References
Conclusion: A call to action, toward an energy research insurrection
Abstract
1: Introduction
2: Toward an energy research insurrection
3: Conclusions
References
Index

Majia Nadesan

Majia Nadesan is a professor of communication in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. She received her Ph.D. in communication studies in 1993 from Purdue University after earning her B.S. and M.S. in the same subject from San Diego State University. Prior to joining the faculty at ASU's College of Human Services in 1994, Dr. Nadesan was an assistant professor at Syracuse University. She investigates the role of politics and scientific uncertainty in risk assessment across energy and sustainability literatures. She has worked extensively on Foucauldian governmentality and biopolitics.

Affiliations and expertise

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Phoenix, USA

Martin J. Pasqualetti

Martin Pasqualetti is a Professor of Geography in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning at Arizona State University and co-director of the Energy Policy Information Council (EPIC). He is an elected Fellow of the American Association of Geographers; a recipient of the Alexander and Ilse Melamid Medal (American Geographical Society), and the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year at the University of California (Riverside). His general research interests encompass three areas of emphasis: energy and society, energy and land use, and renewable energy development. His current research concentrates on the social acceptance of renewable energy landscapes and recycling of energy landscapes. He has served two Arizona governors as chair of the Arizona Solar Energy Advisory Council, and he was as a founding member of the Arizona Solar Center. He serves on 10 editorial boards, including Energy Research & Social Science.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Geography, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning,Arizona State University and Co-Director of the Energy Policy Information Council (EPIC), USA

Jennifer Keahey

Jennifer Keahey is Senior Sustainability Scholar, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability and Assistant Professor of Sociology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences. Keahey’s research centers on questions pertaining to sustainable production and trade, including the rise of the global fair trade movement, organic standards, and slow food trends. Linking political economy to sustainable development, Keahey examines the influence of sustainable trade systems on specific commodity chains and clarifies how marginal producer groups experience sustainability standards and certifications, providing insight into the less-examined dimension of social sustainability

Affiliations and expertise

Senior Sustainability Scholar, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability and Assistant Professor of Sociology, School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Glendale, USA

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