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Shifting political power: the nature and consequences of distributed renewable energy transitions

Objective

Global energy transitions are progressing rapidly. Over half of new generation capacity in 2014 came from renewable energy. Individual, community and co-operative decentralized renewable energy (DRE) producers are capturing a growing share of energy markets (e.g. solar, wind, biomass). As their market share increases, DRE producers are becoming increasingly effective political actors. The traditional political privilege enjoyed by incumbent industries is challenged by these DRE actors as they shift control over jobs, economic growth and energy supplies. Political struggles between competing interests are increasing. However, the nature and extent of these power shifts (e.g. changes in access to policy makers, media influence), and their consequences for political systems and their outcomes (e.g. contested carbon targets, renewable energy subsidies) are poorly understood. This project addresses how and why DRE transitions are shifting political power relations, and the consequences of those shifts for political systems and outcomes. Using an interdisciplinary approach grounded in theory on sustainability transitions (i.e. Multi-Level Perspective), power (e.g. Lukes, Foucault) and institutions (i.e. institutional logics) the project will: (1) examine the conditions leading to shifts in political power by analyzing existing political power relations in regimes where DRE transitions are expected, occurring, or stalled; (2) assess the mechanisms by which political power shifts resulting from these DRE transitions are occurring; and, (3) identify the consequences of DRE-related political power shifts for political systems and their outcomes. Objectives will be explored using a global survey of 20 DRE regimes. Survey insights will be expanded in 5 international comparative cases. Findings will address urgent questions highlighted by academics, the EU, and global economic bodies about the political, economic and social impacts of the changing energy landscape.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2016

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 165 598,80
Address
HEIDELBERGLAAN 8
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands

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Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 165 598,80
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