sustainable energy solutions - the social aspects of planning with the community

Sustainable Energy Solutions - the social

aspects of planning with the community

November 24-27, 2009, SOAC Conference, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA

AGENDA

Contextual Background – Collaborative Planning

Evaluative Analyses – Deliberative Process

Conclusions – Research & Practice

Project Background“Intelligent Grid-Distributed Energy” –CSIRO.

Efficient Electricity Grid – Low Emission!

Social Aspects: Planning - Sustainable Energy. ENERGY GOVERNANCE – Public Participation - Planning - energy security - regional communities!

Deliberative process & outcomes – Western Power.

Abelson’s (2003) Deliberative Evaluative Framework!

Context – Power Working Group Western Power – 2 regional SW

region. Outrage – Blackouts – Loss Income.

Edge of Grid – Reliability. Establishment - Public Participation: Typical stakeholders (Shire, Business,

Government/NGOs). 14 Community A - 3 Community B

Representation - Impacts. Representatives - Expertise.

Characteristics - Represenatives

Community A - Environmental activists & supporters – Values green solutions!

Community B -Councillor, CEO, Govt –

Neutral – Social/Economic. WIN – Halt ‘Power Lines’ Feasibility – Local RE AGENDA – Learning Curve.

PROCEDURAL ASPECTS - FORUMS

CHAIRED - steep learning curve. OBSERVE - feedback – Model. ISSUE – PROBLEMMATIC: Representation – Differed Markedly: 14 V 3 representatives. Human & Social Capital – Community A

- Expertise RE systems. knowledge & resources! Early Adopters – political network. Entrepreneurs - energy initiatives.

Community Expertise & Facilitation Energy Efficient Educational

Facility; Government funding - community-

owned wind farm. Community A - numbers, status &

expertise – influence – initiatives. Community B less numbers &

expertise – reliant facilitation skills! CONSENSUS – feasibility planning Deliberation - fair procedural

process.

Facilitation & Power Dynamics

Community B – Aspirations ignored! - Disempowerment & alienation –

Disengage! Acknowledged - uneven power dynamics! CHANGE -power relationship “institution &

community”. INCORPORATED local knowledge - major

cultural shift - governance relations! INFLUENCE – management! Satisfied - governance & energy goals!

Deliberative V Dominance

Effectiveness - Favoured – Missed Issue!

Powerful - deeply deliberative “open dialogue & reasoned discussion”.

DOMINATED - more powerful - skilled, neutral facilitator.

ATTRIBUTED – naivety!

FAIR - First time!

INEXPERIENCE – relied – experienced – process & initiatives!

DECISION UNDERMINED EARLY - learning curve – Decisions -

Undermined. (a) participant selection - broader

social mix Representation – environmental! Social & Economic - debated. CHALLENGE – AFFECTED - not

present! PROCEDURAL – validity - energy

visions. FORUM - working week -working

residents/business. CHAIRED – AGENDA – Officers!

Wind Farm Initiative - Challenged E.g. –Validity – challenged:

Wind farm project - Community A.

Backing – Government!

SITING - coastal landscape - powerful sectors!

Development - community support.

Site Selection – contentious!

Shire Rejected - politics.

PROCEDURAL FAILURES FACTORS – key – Diverse

Representation. Accountability & Transparency

Lacking:Failed - regular feedback & inputacceptance & opposition.

Involved/Consulted - wind farm project! Anti-Development Solution. Opposed RE & EE - BARRIER

economic growth!

Incorporating Diverse Needs & Interests BUSINESS: power– applications rejected.

Social & economic- planning framework. Sustainability- environmental, social,

economic and governance! “consensus is not necessary – but an effective

deliberation process must include exposure of conflicts to provide the opportunity to understand it, in order to move respectfully (Carson, 2009).

“… without a very inclusive sample, the process will lack credibility amongst those who should be influenced” (Carson & Hartz-Karp, 2005).

Outcomes Community Engagement Work in Progress – E.g. Trust - positive relationship! Empowered – responsive - Aspirations! SPARKED - Educational initiatives -

awareness -EE - RE technologies. Proactive - community-wide approach -

energy sensitive behavioural change! Lobbying- Regulatory & Institutional

constraints!

Positive Outcomes

Socio-political & institutional – “cultural transformation of mindset” - alternative solutions.

FLEXIBLE – options - coal fired power! POSITIVE - individual, community & societal! PROCEDURAL- transparent & accountable.

visions & priorities! INEQUITY & UNDER-REPRESENTATION:

Location; Chair – rotated; Feedback & Input; Diverse Representation

– Local Media

Community Engagement Practitioners VIGILANT -power & inclusivity. DESIGNED - procedural justice! FAILINGS – beneficial - EE solutions. Institutional – mindset changes - community

aspirations - sustainable energy transition! Community A – Leading – Strategies –

Behavioural Changes – Reduce Consumption & GHG emissions!

FORUM - collaborative planning – groundwork -acceptance -alternative energy solutions.

Barriers – Sustainable Energy Planning DEMONSTRATE - economic growth not

curtailed fierce local opposition.

DILEMMA - Twin Demands: - Reducing ghg emissions & energy

consumption Growth – energy demand.

Political pressures: green sector – frustrated -small scale

efforts! pro-development – planning – inability –

current & future growing energy needs.

Conclusion PRECARIOUS – Plan Energy Security –

Options – NOT constrain Economy Regions! COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – VITAL –

Strategies! DIFFICULTIES – Opportunity – Community

Ownership – Planning Future! RESEARCH – “dynamics at play” – Civil

Society Sectors! SOCIALLY JUST - process and outcome -

most vulnerable in the power of politics!

Thank you

• For more information on the iGrid Research program:• The website address is www.igrid.net.au• This forms part of our overall communications strategy. The website isa vehicle for dissemination cluster research findings and to facilitate theengagement with key industry stakeholders.