A situated governmentality approach to energy transitions

Autor(en)
Leonie Büttner, Lucas Barning
Abstrakt

Around the world, smart grids are emerging as a universal tool to address a wide range of social and technical problems facing energy systems. Despite considerable research on these systems, the ways they differ in the local (re)production of power relations have so far been little discussed. This paper fills this gap by developing a "situated governmentality approach"in conversation with the critique of Foucauldian governmentality studies. By applying this approach to smart grid strategies in Germany (Smart Energy Showcases - Digital Agenda for the Energiewende, SINTEG) and India (National Smart Grid Mission, NSGM), we identify different ways in which power is mediated through situated governmentalities. While SINTEG employs technologies of power that promote a disciplinary regime, the exercise of power in the case of the NSGM displays many elements of a digitally enhanced sovereign approach. The findings reveal the range of governmental programmes that can be realized through smart grids and open up a perspective on the situated functioning of smart grids in energy transitions.

Organisation(en)
Institut für Geographie und Regionalforschung
Externe Organisation(en)
Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung, Technische Universität Wien
Journal
Geographica Helvetica
Band
78
Seiten
581-592
Anzahl der Seiten
12
ISSN
0016-7312
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5194/gh-78-581-2023
Publikationsdatum
12-2023
Peer-reviewed
Ja
ÖFOS 2012
507005 Kulturgeographie, 507020 Stadtforschung, 507027 Nachhaltige Stadtentwicklung
ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete
Global and Planetary Change, Geography, Planning and Development, Anthropology, Earth-Surface Processes
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 7 – Bezahlbare und saubere Energie
Link zum Portal
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/de/publications/59515531-8e19-46eb-aaa1-65b0daa6f98e