Policymaking in Times of Post-normal Science: Considering Community-based Distributed Energy

The objective of this proposal is to establish a research cluster to explore how new and emerging energy technologies may change the scope of the community decision making processes for community-based energy management throughout Wisconsin. This cluster will foster collaborative partnerships between researchers studying innovation of energy systems in engineering with social scientists examining the societal dimensions of energy systems in communities, in partnership with members of the energy community, throughout Wisconsin and nationally.

Recent resilience concerns due to climate change impacts and COVID-19 have been reflected in the increasing awareness of and interest in alternative, community-based energy management infrastructure. Additionally, as communities throughout Wisconsin set low-carbon targets, new clean energy technologies will be necessary to meet these ambitious goals. We propose hosting two workshops to facilitate ideation and collaboration between leaders throughout the energy industry and communitylevel practitioners to promote an iterative information exchange process in which participants at all levels have space to inform each other for a collaborative approach to community energy development. The first will focus on conceptualizing the future of community-based energy resources and the second will consider the community-specific contexts that inherently impact community implementation of new energy technologies. Our iterative and multidisciplinary approach allows us to explore communityspecific contexts that shape the future landscape of community-based energy by brining together a range of perspectives to collaboratively consider these factors and inform effective strategies for community engagement in this growing new frontier of energy management.

This cluster aims to inform how new and emerging energy technologies may change the scope of the community decision making processes for community-based energy management throughout Wisconsin. This project will foster collaborative partnerships between researchers studying innovation of energy systems in engineering with social scientists examining the societal dimensions of energy systems in communities. This approach will help facilitate integration of these fields through research and community engagement.

Dominique Brossard, Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison | Twitter

Mikhaila Calice, Life Sciences Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison | Twitter

Paul Robbins, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies | Twitter

Morgan Edwards, La Follette School of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison | Twitter

Scott Williams, Wisconsin Energy Institute, University of Wisconsin-Madison | Twitter

Sarah Johnston, Agricultural & Applied Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Paul Wilson, Engineering Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison | Twitter

Greg Nemet, La Follette School of Public Affairs, University of Wisconsin-Madison | Twitter

For more information, contact dombrossard@gmail.com.

Workshop 1: imagining possibilities for community energy

Workshop 2: understanding community values

Details to follow