The co-creation method in the deployment of new energy technologies Climate change and its socio-environmental consequences imply the need to develop and make applicable sustainable but at the same time accessible technologies. This implies the ability to address diverse challenges, across disciplinary boundaries and great distances (both geographical and socio-cultural), through collaboration between different actors with different backgrounds. Academics and policy makers advocate the active involvement of potential stakeholders in their various roles as users, producers, consumers or owners in order to mitigate these challenges, especially the social ones. The literature and scientific debate on models and practices of citizen participation in energy-related decision-making processes is very broad, covering a wide range of approaches and different levels of analysis in terms of considering different aspects of participation and/or the population groups involved [1]. In the context of co-creation, stakeholders are engaged as empowered actors in the energy transition through co-designing policies and legislation, co-producing solutions and innovations, co-implementing projects and ultimately co-benefiting from the green transition process. The EU's new strategy to make clean energy a reality for all Europeans embodies this approach. In addition, this method could increase the social acceptance of new technologies [2], highlighting the central role of citizens and local communities in facilitating or hindering the development of new energy technologies. In the Horizon Europe project "Hybrid services from advanced thermal energy storage systems (HYSTORE)", we adopt a co-creation methodology to involve people who interact with the demonstration sites where the pilot energy storage systems will be implemented. The project's inclusive nature is underscored by the involvement of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including technical and non-technical experts, as well as various roles such as decision makers, professionals, workers, residents, business people, representatives of social enterprises and cooperatives, and housing associations. Collectively, these stakeholders contribute to the process of defining the characteristics of the novel technology and identifying the potential motivations that could influence its acceptance and utilisation by the public. In this contribution, the method and procedures employed in the co-creation activities for the development of a new technology will be presented. Furthermore, the salient aspects that have already come to light will be emphasised. Specifically, three of the scheduled meetings have already been conducted, revealing several challenges and barriers to the deployment of the new technologies, including high costs, the need to reduce size and dimensions, and the complexity and difficulty of utilisation.
THE CO-CREATION METHOD IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
Agatino Nicita;Raffaele Albanese
2025
Abstract
The co-creation method in the deployment of new energy technologies Climate change and its socio-environmental consequences imply the need to develop and make applicable sustainable but at the same time accessible technologies. This implies the ability to address diverse challenges, across disciplinary boundaries and great distances (both geographical and socio-cultural), through collaboration between different actors with different backgrounds. Academics and policy makers advocate the active involvement of potential stakeholders in their various roles as users, producers, consumers or owners in order to mitigate these challenges, especially the social ones. The literature and scientific debate on models and practices of citizen participation in energy-related decision-making processes is very broad, covering a wide range of approaches and different levels of analysis in terms of considering different aspects of participation and/or the population groups involved [1]. In the context of co-creation, stakeholders are engaged as empowered actors in the energy transition through co-designing policies and legislation, co-producing solutions and innovations, co-implementing projects and ultimately co-benefiting from the green transition process. The EU's new strategy to make clean energy a reality for all Europeans embodies this approach. In addition, this method could increase the social acceptance of new technologies [2], highlighting the central role of citizens and local communities in facilitating or hindering the development of new energy technologies. In the Horizon Europe project "Hybrid services from advanced thermal energy storage systems (HYSTORE)", we adopt a co-creation methodology to involve people who interact with the demonstration sites where the pilot energy storage systems will be implemented. The project's inclusive nature is underscored by the involvement of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including technical and non-technical experts, as well as various roles such as decision makers, professionals, workers, residents, business people, representatives of social enterprises and cooperatives, and housing associations. Collectively, these stakeholders contribute to the process of defining the characteristics of the novel technology and identifying the potential motivations that could influence its acceptance and utilisation by the public. In this contribution, the method and procedures employed in the co-creation activities for the development of a new technology will be presented. Furthermore, the salient aspects that have already come to light will be emphasised. Specifically, three of the scheduled meetings have already been conducted, revealing several challenges and barriers to the deployment of the new technologies, including high costs, the need to reduce size and dimensions, and the complexity and difficulty of utilisation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
