Smart business for smart users?: A social science agenda for developing smart grids

G.P.J. Verbong; N. Verkade; B. Verhees; J.C.C.M. Huijben; J.I. Höffken

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-28077-6_3

Smart business for smart users? A social science agenda for developing smart grids

G.P.J. Verbong, N. Verkade, B. Verhees, J.C.C.M. Huijben, J.I. Höffken

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic

6 Citations (Scopus)

403 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The promise of smart grids is very attractive. However, it is not yet clear what the future smart grid will look like. Although most researchers acknowledge that users will play a more prominent role in smart grids, there is a lot of uncertainty on this issue. To counter the strong techno-logical bias in smart grid research and literature, we propose that re-search should focus more on the social and business dimension of smart grid developments. The main elements of such a research agenda are:
• Developing more socially embedded visions on smart grids and the services it will provide;
• A shift in the focus on developing smart grids components and systems towards the services it will deliver
• Development and testing of innovative user-centered business models and ecosystems
More general, on the role of users in smart grids, the main lesson is that user roles should be taken more seriously in relation to smart grids: ex-perts should no longer regard users exclusively and/or simply as potential barriers to smart grid innovation but also as important stakeholders and potential participants in the innovation process.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Smart grids from a global perspective
Subtitle of host publication	bridging old and new energy systems
Editors	A. Beaulieu, J. de Wilde, J.M.A. Scherpen
Place of Publication	Berlin
Publisher	Springer
Pages	27-42
Number of pages	15
ISBN (Electronic)	978-3-319-28077-6
ISBN (Print)	978-3-319-28075-2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28077-6_3
Publication status	Published - 2016

Publication series

Name	Power Systems
ISSN (Print)	1612-1287

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-319-28077-6_3

Verbong_finalFinal author version , 380 KB

Cite this

Verbong, G. P. J., Verkade, N., Verhees, B., Huijben, J. C. C. M., & Höffken, J. I. (2016). Smart business for smart users? A social science agenda for developing smart grids. In A. Beaulieu, J. de Wilde, & J. M. A. Scherpen (Eds.), Smart grids from a global perspective : bridging old and new energy systems (pp. 27-42). (Power Systems). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-28077-6_3

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Smart business for smart users? A social science agenda for developing smart grids. / Verbong, G.P.J.; Verkade, N.; Verhees, B. et al.
Smart grids from a global perspective : bridging old and new energy systems. ed. / A. Beaulieu; J. de Wilde; J.M.A. Scherpen. Berlin: Springer, 2016. p. 27-42 (Power Systems).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Academic

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