Everyday experimentation in energy transition : A practice-theoretical view

Jalas, Mikko and Hyysalo, Sampsa and Heiskanen, Eva and Lovio, Raimo and Nissinen, Ari and Mattinen, Maija and Rinkinen, Jenny and Juntunen, Jouni K. and Tainio, Pasi and Nissilä, Heli (2017) Everyday experimentation in energy transition : A practice-theoretical view. Journal of Cleaner Production, 169. pp. 77-84. ISSN 0959-6526

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Abstract

Research on sustainable practices has attracted increasing interest as a way to understand energy demand and transitions towards sustainability. In this paper we elaborate on how practice theories can inform the discussion of experimentation. Practice theory suggests that the everyday life of people appears recalcitrant. Practices are robust, resilient and have multiple, historically formed constituents and are thereby difficult to destabilize and change quickly. The making and breaking of links inside and between practices is highlighted, as is the need for enduring, multi-sited change efforts. Practice theory further helps us to better understand the constitution of new, levelled forms of expertise, the distributed nature of experimentation and the enrolment of citizens as active participants in sustainability transitions. We have operationalized and examined these suggestions in a Finnish research project related to climate change mitigation and energy use in detached houses. We report specific modes of experimentation and innovation, including user innovations, and the shared resources of situated expertise, the collective and shared processes of empowerment and the ways in which normality is challenged by ruptures in everyday life. Based on the results, we derive suggestions for effective policy interventions. We also bring forward a set of generic suggestions for more sensitive, appreciative and effective public policies on sustainability transitions and cast experimentation in a particular and partial role in such policies.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Journal of Cleaner Production
Additional Information:
This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Cleaner Production. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Cleaner Production, 169, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.03.034
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300
Subjects:
?? sustainable practicesexperimentationclimate change mitigationpractice theorytransitionenvironmental science(all)strategy and managementindustrial and manufacturing engineeringrenewable energy, sustainability and the environment ??
ID Code:
87998
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
06 Oct 2017 19:37
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
31 Dec 2023 00:51