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Cities all over the world are setting ambitious targets of achieving zero carbon emissions and 100% renewable energy in the near future. Such energy transitions are highly complex societal processes, however, necessitating intensive collaboration among regional and national governments, energy companies and utilities, research institutions, advocacy groups, and local communities. Although there has been a rising interest in collaborative approaches such as co-creation in energy transition studies, existing literature on this topic sometimes lacks theoretical rigour or faces problems in practical application. This poses a challenge in assessing what makes co-creation useful for accelerating energy transitions. The aim of this paper is to critically review co-creation and other selected collaborative approaches across the public sector literature in order to develop an assessment framework for co-creation in strategic planning for energy transitions. Based on this review, we suggest that co-creation can be assessed according to the following criteria: 1) the involvement of actors (state, market, community, and third sector) and their roles in different phases (initiation, design, and implementation) of co-creation; 2) the use of four sets of activities (expectation alignment, social learning, resource acquisition, assessment, and evaluation) to foster transformative power; and 3) the outcomes of co-creation. The latter may include new knowledge, new relationships, and new solutions, as well as increased efficiency and social acceptability of the transition processes. We illustrate the application of this conceptual framework with an example from an ongoing energy transition led by the ProjectZero organization in Sønderborg, Denmark.
Silver Sillak; Kristian Borch; Karl Sperling. Assessing co-creation in strategic planning for urban energy transitions. Energy Research & Social Science 2021, 74, 101952 .
AMA StyleSilver Sillak, Kristian Borch, Karl Sperling. Assessing co-creation in strategic planning for urban energy transitions. Energy Research & Social Science. 2021; 74 ():101952.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSilver Sillak; Kristian Borch; Karl Sperling. 2021. "Assessing co-creation in strategic planning for urban energy transitions." Energy Research & Social Science 74, no. : 101952.
Sara Ben Amer; Jay S. Gregg; Karl Sperling; David Drysdale. Too complicated and impractical? An exploratory study on the role of energy system models in municipal decision-making processes in Denmark. Energy Research & Social Science 2020, 70, 1 .
AMA StyleSara Ben Amer, Jay S. Gregg, Karl Sperling, David Drysdale. Too complicated and impractical? An exploratory study on the role of energy system models in municipal decision-making processes in Denmark. Energy Research & Social Science. 2020; 70 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSara Ben Amer; Jay S. Gregg; Karl Sperling; David Drysdale. 2020. "Too complicated and impractical? An exploratory study on the role of energy system models in municipal decision-making processes in Denmark." Energy Research & Social Science 70, no. : 1.
The transition towards renewable energy will operate on different geographical scales. Many of the concrete steps will address the local level; however, these have to align with the broader energy perspective. It is therefore necessary to develop methods that enable cities to assess the compatibility of the local renewable energy strategy to the surrounding national and global energy systems. This paper presents a methodology to design Smart Energy Cities within the context of 100% renewable energy at a national level. Cities and municipalities should act locally with regard to local demands but acknowledge the national and global context when addressing resources, industry and transport. The method is applied to the case of transitioning the municipality of Aalborg to a 100% renewable smart energy system within the context of a Danish and European energy system. The case demonstrates how it is possible to transition to a Smart Energy City that fits within a 100% renewable energy context of Denmark and Europe. The suggested methodology is framed in a way that makes it applicable to other cases globally.
J.Z. Thellufsen; H. Lund; P. Sorknæs; P.A. Østergaard; M. Chang; D. Drysdale; S. Nielsen; S.R. Djørup; Karl Sperling. Smart energy cities in a 100% renewable energy context. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2020, 129, 109922 .
AMA StyleJ.Z. Thellufsen, H. Lund, P. Sorknæs, P.A. Østergaard, M. Chang, D. Drysdale, S. Nielsen, S.R. Djørup, Karl Sperling. Smart energy cities in a 100% renewable energy context. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2020; 129 ():109922.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ.Z. Thellufsen; H. Lund; P. Sorknæs; P.A. Østergaard; M. Chang; D. Drysdale; S. Nielsen; S.R. Djørup; Karl Sperling. 2020. "Smart energy cities in a 100% renewable energy context." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 129, no. : 109922.
Local governments will play an important role in the transition towards fully renewable energy systems. In order to develop new roles for themselves in climate and energy planning, they have to be creative and find new ways of acting within existing regulatory frameworks. The objective of this paper is to explore the kinds of arguments and discussions local key actors use and encounter when developing innovative activities. We study two exemplary cases using a qualitative research approach based on interviews with key informants: a municipality-owned nearshore wind farm, and a local funding scheme for energy-efficiency refurbishment in single-family houses. Our findings indicate that i) innovative projects grow out of the momentum of previous visions and experiences; ii) key actors balance ‘green’ and economic arguments in order to gain project approval; and iii) innovative projects can sometimes only be realized by drawing on resources from outside the municipal sphere. Even though committed key actors may be successful, it is worth considering how the grip of narrow economic motives can be loosened in order to support the local experimentation and innovation that will become more and more important in green energy transitions.
K. Sperling; Finn Arler. Local government innovation in the energy sector: A study of key actors’ strategies and arguments. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2020, 126, 109837 .
AMA StyleK. Sperling, Finn Arler. Local government innovation in the energy sector: A study of key actors’ strategies and arguments. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2020; 126 ():109837.
Chicago/Turabian StyleK. Sperling; Finn Arler. 2020. "Local government innovation in the energy sector: A study of key actors’ strategies and arguments." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 126, no. : 109837.
This paper addresses economic aspects of heat savings in the context of strategic heat planning. The analysis uses the city of Aalborg, Denmark, as a case where municipalisation through a recent acquisition of a coal-fired cogeneration of heat and power (CHP) plant has made an update of a municipal strategic energy plan necessary. Combining datasets on buildings and insulation techniques with economic methods, we investigate how the local district heating tariff can be adapted to improve the conditions for heat savings and support the transition to lower supply temperatures in line with the requirements of future fourth generation district heating systems. The paper concludes that implementing a fully variable heat tariff scheme improves the financial incentive for heat savings, while also making the system development less vulnerable to fluctuations and shortages in capital markets. The paper supplements existing literature on heat savings with novelty in its approach and in its systematic investigation of the interplay between tariff policies and interest rates.
Søren Djørup; Karl Sperling; Steffen Nielsen; Poul Alborg Østergaard; Jakob Zinck Thellufsen; Peter Sorknæs; Henrik Lund; David Drysdale. District Heating Tariffs, Economic Optimisation and Local Strategies during Radical Technological Change. Energies 2020, 13, 1172 .
AMA StyleSøren Djørup, Karl Sperling, Steffen Nielsen, Poul Alborg Østergaard, Jakob Zinck Thellufsen, Peter Sorknæs, Henrik Lund, David Drysdale. District Heating Tariffs, Economic Optimisation and Local Strategies during Radical Technological Change. Energies. 2020; 13 (5):1172.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSøren Djørup; Karl Sperling; Steffen Nielsen; Poul Alborg Østergaard; Jakob Zinck Thellufsen; Peter Sorknæs; Henrik Lund; David Drysdale. 2020. "District Heating Tariffs, Economic Optimisation and Local Strategies during Radical Technological Change." Energies 13, no. 5: 1172.
Leire Gorroño-Albizu; Karl Sperling; Søren Djørup. The past, present and uncertain future of community energy in Denmark: Critically reviewing and conceptualising citizen ownership. Energy Research & Social Science 2019, 57, 1 .
AMA StyleLeire Gorroño-Albizu, Karl Sperling, Søren Djørup. The past, present and uncertain future of community energy in Denmark: Critically reviewing and conceptualising citizen ownership. Energy Research & Social Science. 2019; 57 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeire Gorroño-Albizu; Karl Sperling; Søren Djørup. 2019. "The past, present and uncertain future of community energy in Denmark: Critically reviewing and conceptualising citizen ownership." Energy Research & Social Science 57, no. : 1.
The energy transition towards a more carbon neutral energy production has become a major topic for policy makers in recent years. Although the importance of a long-term vision and planning is widely acknowledged, the idea to speed up the energy transition with binding targets and timetables has also been criticised. Instead, societal transformations are created by the messy combination of actors and networks, stories and visions, regulations, agreements, local and regional initiatives, etc. Yet, there is still a lack of systematic analyses of how futures become mainstream in policy and practice. This article analyzes the context and actors in which the Danish energy transition emerges. We describe this process as materialization, referring to the process in which different representations of a future come together and incrementally organize the future. Although the Danish energy case has been analyzed by many authors over the last years, most analyses of the Danish energy transition are done from an institutional perspective. The importance of stories (about the future) has been mentioned as an important factor, but it has not been the focus of research. This research combines a discursive dimension with an institutional perspective to analyze how the future of renewable energy materialized and consolidated in Denmark. The case not only shows different phases of materialization, it also shows that different combinations of the interplay between actors, context and stories led to materialization and consolidation of the energy transition in Denmark.
Sietske Veenman; Karl Sperling; Frede Hvelplund. How future frames materialize and consolidate: The energy transition in Denmark. Futures 2019, 114, 102473 .
AMA StyleSietske Veenman, Karl Sperling, Frede Hvelplund. How future frames materialize and consolidate: The energy transition in Denmark. Futures. 2019; 114 ():102473.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSietske Veenman; Karl Sperling; Frede Hvelplund. 2019. "How future frames materialize and consolidate: The energy transition in Denmark." Futures 114, no. : 102473.
The transition towards renewable energy systems is guided by different energy planning approaches around the world. The strategic energy planning approach has gained increasing attention during the last decade and it is the approach chosen for the Danish energy transition. Challenges are found in Danish strategic energy planning approach today. This paper examines how to improve the implementation of strategic energy planning in Denmark. Through identification of challenges in the Danish approach and a review of international literature on strategic energy planning, it is possible to identify key elements that can be integrated into the Danish definition. Furthermore, a theoretical framework is developed that can be used to analyse strategic energy planning in practice.
Louise Krog; Karl Sperling. A comprehensive framework for strategic energy planning based on Danish and international insights. Energy Strategy Reviews 2019, 24, 83 -93.
AMA StyleLouise Krog, Karl Sperling. A comprehensive framework for strategic energy planning based on Danish and international insights. Energy Strategy Reviews. 2019; 24 ():83-93.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLouise Krog; Karl Sperling. 2019. "A comprehensive framework for strategic energy planning based on Danish and international insights." Energy Strategy Reviews 24, no. : 83-93.
Local ownership models have proven to be an important way to avoid local resistance to onshore wind turbines. As wind power expands into onshore and nearshore wind farms, such ownership models become of increasing importance, while also undergoing further development. This paper uses the Choice Awareness theory to examine some of the barriers connected to the implementation of these new ownership models and presents recommendations to overcome such barriers. Choice Awareness addresses societal aspects (discourse, socioeconomics, and public regulation) mainly related to implementing alternatives to existing technologies. For the theory to be able to embrace the complexity of the transition of the energy system more holistically, we explore and specify the organizational dimension of choice-eliminating mechanisms. Based on the case of an NGO’s attempt to bid for a tender for nearshore wind turbines, it is shown how the central administration prevents new innovative ownership models from entering the tender. A strong path dependency has led to a conscious or unconscious elimination of projects based on organizational structures that do not fit the definition of large energy companies. As a result of this, the paper makes three recommendations for policy changes with the aim to secure equal possibilities for actors involved in nearshore wind power tenders.
Louise Krog; Karl Sperling; Henrik Lund. Barriers and Recommendations to Innovative Ownership Models for Wind Power. Energies 2018, 11, 2602 .
AMA StyleLouise Krog, Karl Sperling, Henrik Lund. Barriers and Recommendations to Innovative Ownership Models for Wind Power. Energies. 2018; 11 (10):2602.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLouise Krog; Karl Sperling; Henrik Lund. 2018. "Barriers and Recommendations to Innovative Ownership Models for Wind Power." Energies 11, no. 10: 2602.
The speed and progress of transitions towards renewable energy systems varies greatly between European member states. Among others, these differences have been attributed to the emergence of grassroots initiatives (GIs) that develop radical ideas and sustainable practices. The goal of this paper is to understand the differences in the emergence of GIs for renewable energy in relation to the institutional characteristics of Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden. We analyze the possibilities of GIs to emerge and act within three dimensions: the material-economic, the actor-institutional and discursive dimension. We conclude that conditional factors lie within the material-economic dimension in terms of the biophysical conditions, the structure of the economy, energy dependency and the energy market. Within the actor-institutional dimension, we conclude that the presence or absence of fossil fuel incumbents, such as regional utilities, strongly influence the possibilities of GIs. Within the discursive dimension, openness for alternative discourses proved to be enabling for GI-activities, as well as democratized knowledge production. In addition to these conditions of possibility, GIs can also act despite dominant institutions, albeit limited. Finally, GIs need a strong network with knowledge institutes, technology developers and political parties in order to achieve institutional change that enables GIs to flourish. Without institutional space, GIs remain subjected to the dominant power-relations, and cannot exert much influence upon the energy system
Henk-Jan Kooij; Marieke Oteman; Sietske Veenman; Karl Sperling; Dick Magnusson; Jenny Palm; Frede Hvelplund. Between grassroots and treetops: Community power and institutional dependence in the renewable energy sector in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. Energy Research & Social Science 2018, 37, 52 -64.
AMA StyleHenk-Jan Kooij, Marieke Oteman, Sietske Veenman, Karl Sperling, Dick Magnusson, Jenny Palm, Frede Hvelplund. Between grassroots and treetops: Community power and institutional dependence in the renewable energy sector in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands. Energy Research & Social Science. 2018; 37 ():52-64.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHenk-Jan Kooij; Marieke Oteman; Sietske Veenman; Karl Sperling; Dick Magnusson; Jenny Palm; Frede Hvelplund. 2018. "Between grassroots and treetops: Community power and institutional dependence in the renewable energy sector in Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands." Energy Research & Social Science 37, no. : 52-64.
Karl Sperling. How does a pioneer community energy project succeed in practice? The case of the Samsø Renewable Energy Island. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2017, 71, 884 -897.
AMA StyleKarl Sperling. How does a pioneer community energy project succeed in practice? The case of the Samsø Renewable Energy Island. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 2017; 71 ():884-897.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarl Sperling. 2017. "How does a pioneer community energy project succeed in practice? The case of the Samsø Renewable Energy Island." Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 71, no. : 884-897.
Brian Vad Mathiesen; Henrik Lund; David Connolly; Henrik Wenzel; Poul Alberg Østergaard; B. Möller; Steffen Nielsen; I. Ridjan; P. Karnøe; Karl Sperling; F.K. Hvelplund. Smart Energy Systems for coherent 100% renewable energy and transport solutions. Applied Energy 2015, 145, 139 -154.
AMA StyleBrian Vad Mathiesen, Henrik Lund, David Connolly, Henrik Wenzel, Poul Alberg Østergaard, B. Möller, Steffen Nielsen, I. Ridjan, P. Karnøe, Karl Sperling, F.K. Hvelplund. Smart Energy Systems for coherent 100% renewable energy and transport solutions. Applied Energy. 2015; 145 ():139-154.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBrian Vad Mathiesen; Henrik Lund; David Connolly; Henrik Wenzel; Poul Alberg Østergaard; B. Möller; Steffen Nielsen; I. Ridjan; P. Karnøe; Karl Sperling; F.K. Hvelplund. 2015. "Smart Energy Systems for coherent 100% renewable energy and transport solutions." Applied Energy 145, no. : 139-154.
Ranjan Parajuli; Karl Sperling; Tommy Dalgaard. Environmental performance of Miscanthus as a fuel alternative for district heat production. Biomass and Bioenergy 2015, 72, 104 -116.
AMA StyleRanjan Parajuli, Karl Sperling, Tommy Dalgaard. Environmental performance of Miscanthus as a fuel alternative for district heat production. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2015; 72 ():104-116.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRanjan Parajuli; Karl Sperling; Tommy Dalgaard. 2015. "Environmental performance of Miscanthus as a fuel alternative for district heat production." Biomass and Bioenergy 72, no. : 104-116.
Ranjan Parajuli; Clemens Hussong; Christina Ntoka; George Charisoulis; Tiberiu Tulucan; Karl Sperling. Beyond oil and gas: possible future scenarios for the electricity sector in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Sustainable Energy 2013, 34, 71 -92.
AMA StyleRanjan Parajuli, Clemens Hussong, Christina Ntoka, George Charisoulis, Tiberiu Tulucan, Karl Sperling. Beyond oil and gas: possible future scenarios for the electricity sector in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Sustainable Energy. 2013; 34 (2):71-92.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRanjan Parajuli; Clemens Hussong; Christina Ntoka; George Charisoulis; Tiberiu Tulucan; Karl Sperling. 2013. "Beyond oil and gas: possible future scenarios for the electricity sector in Saudi Arabia." International Journal of Sustainable Energy 34, no. 2: 71-92.
Frede Hvelplund; Bernd Möller; Karl Sperling. Local ownership, smart energy systems and better wind power economy. Energy Strategy Reviews 2013, 1, 164 -170.
AMA StyleFrede Hvelplund, Bernd Möller, Karl Sperling. Local ownership, smart energy systems and better wind power economy. Energy Strategy Reviews. 2013; 1 (3):164-170.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrede Hvelplund; Bernd Möller; Karl Sperling. 2013. "Local ownership, smart energy systems and better wind power economy." Energy Strategy Reviews 1, no. 3: 164-170.
Bernd Möller; Karl Sperling; Steffen Nielsen; Carla Kornelia Smink; Søren Kerndrup. Creating consciousness about the opportunities to integrate sustainable energy on islands. Energy 2012, 48, 339 -345.
AMA StyleBernd Möller, Karl Sperling, Steffen Nielsen, Carla Kornelia Smink, Søren Kerndrup. Creating consciousness about the opportunities to integrate sustainable energy on islands. Energy. 2012; 48 (1):339-345.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBernd Möller; Karl Sperling; Steffen Nielsen; Carla Kornelia Smink; Søren Kerndrup. 2012. "Creating consciousness about the opportunities to integrate sustainable energy on islands." Energy 48, no. 1: 339-345.
Karl Sperling; Bernd Möller. End-use energy savings and district heating expansion in a local renewable energy system – A short-term perspective. Applied Energy 2012, 92, 831 -842.
AMA StyleKarl Sperling, Bernd Möller. End-use energy savings and district heating expansion in a local renewable energy system – A short-term perspective. Applied Energy. 2012; 92 ():831-842.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarl Sperling; Bernd Möller. 2012. "End-use energy savings and district heating expansion in a local renewable energy system – A short-term perspective." Applied Energy 92, no. : 831-842.
Research highlights ► There is a large variety of energy-related activities in the 11 municipal energy and climate plans. ► Only few plans contain all relevant sectors and activities in relation to a 100% RES. ► Neglected areas are private transport, system regulation/integration and private buildings. ► There is an acute need for coordination of municipal energy planning at the central level. ► Strategic energy planning should integrate national policy with municipal energy planning.
Karl Sperling; Frede Hvelplund; Brian Vad Mathiesen. Centralisation and decentralisation in strategic municipal energy planning in Denmark. Energy Policy 2011, 39, 1338 -1351.
AMA StyleKarl Sperling, Frede Hvelplund, Brian Vad Mathiesen. Centralisation and decentralisation in strategic municipal energy planning in Denmark. Energy Policy. 2011; 39 (3):1338-1351.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarl Sperling; Frede Hvelplund; Brian Vad Mathiesen. 2011. "Centralisation and decentralisation in strategic municipal energy planning in Denmark." Energy Policy 39, no. 3: 1338-1351.
Wind power is a maturing technology that may form an essential element of fully renewable energy systems in a number of countries. Denmark has a long history of wind power development and is planning to expand its existing capacity. If large-scale penetration of wind power is to be achieved, an integrated framework is needed that can respond to the associated challenges. This paper argues for adopting an integrated macro perspective when evaluating and building frameworks to support wind power development. This macro perspective is applied to the case of Denmark, and more specifically to concrete wind power projects in the region of Northern Jutland. The results suggest that although certain elements in the current legislation have been improved, the feasibility of wind power projects cannot be guaranteed, and there is a tendency to exclude smaller turbines from development.
Karl Sperling; Frede Hvelplund; Brian Vad Mathiesen. Evaluation of wind power planning in Denmark – Towards an integrated perspective. Energy 2010, 35, 5443 -5454.
AMA StyleKarl Sperling, Frede Hvelplund, Brian Vad Mathiesen. Evaluation of wind power planning in Denmark – Towards an integrated perspective. Energy. 2010; 35 (12):5443-5454.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKarl Sperling; Frede Hvelplund; Brian Vad Mathiesen. 2010. "Evaluation of wind power planning in Denmark – Towards an integrated perspective." Energy 35, no. 12: 5443-5454.