28 E. GREALIS ET AL.
Case stuDy: energiesuffizienz projeCt
The research project ‘Energiesuffizienz’ (energy sufficiency) was
undertaken from 2013 to 2016 and was tasked with identifying
the driving factors and dynamics for the expansion of energy-related
‘needs’ and how they could be addressed, with a view to achieving
real quantitative reductions in the size and use of devices, the substitution of technical equipment in households, and the adjustment or
reassessment of technical services delivered by appliances to utilities
and desired by users (i.e. smart grid services) (Brischke et al. 2016).
The approach concentrated on three elements: households, appliances,
and urban infrastructure and services in municipalities. A criteria-based
analysis was conducted that examined action and measurement options
for energy sufficiency in the distinct areas of living and building, as
well as individual barriers and framework conditions that influence or
hinder the implementation of energy sufficiency. Based on this theoretical framework, empirical studies were carried out which employed
transdisciplinary methods.
Investigative Approach
Households represented the core subjects of investigation in the project.
In a representative survey of 601 households, the research team enquired
as to how energy-sufficiency practices are currently perceived and evaluated, what sufficiency practices are already employed, and whether and
to what extent additional sufficiency practices may be accepted in the
future. For example, in the area of living space, participants were asked
to rate the adequacy of their current living space ranging from ‘much too
small’ to ‘far too big’. Additionally, there were interviews with several
actors at the municipal level to analyse existing measures and approaches
to improve energy sufficiency. The research team used neighbourhood
labs that drew on five local communities of practice (youth group, local
co-op, a group of degrowth activists, senior citizens club and a Christian
seniors group). The research team presented cultural probes to get to
know the participants and their performances of practices also within the
group, and held co-creation workshops to counter conflicts with handling sufficiency strategies.
Case stuDy: energiesuffizienz projeCt
The research project ‘Energiesuffizienz’ (energy sufficiency) was
undertaken from 2013 to 2016 and was tasked with identifying
the driving factors and dynamics for the expansion of energy-related
‘needs’ and how they could be addressed, with a view to achieving
real quantitative reductions in the size and use of devices, the substitution of technical equipment in households, and the adjustment or
reassessment of technical services delivered by appliances to utilities
and desired by users (i.e. smart grid services) (Brischke et al. 2016).
The approach concentrated on three elements: households, appliances,
and urban infrastructure and services in municipalities. A criteria-based
analysis was conducted that examined action and measurement options
for energy sufficiency in the distinct areas of living and building, as
well as individual barriers and framework conditions that influence or
hinder the implementation of energy sufficiency. Based on this theoretical framework, empirical studies were carried out which employed
transdisciplinary methods.
Investigative Approach
Households represented the core subjects of investigation in the project.
In a representative survey of 601 households, the research team enquired
as to how energy-sufficiency practices are currently perceived and evaluated, what sufficiency practices are already employed, and whether and
to what extent additional sufficiency practices may be accepted in the
future. For example, in the area of living space, participants were asked
to rate the adequacy of their current living space ranging from ‘much too
small’ to ‘far too big’. Additionally, there were interviews with several
actors at the municipal level to analyse existing measures and approaches
to improve energy sufficiency. The research team used neighbourhood
labs that drew on five local communities of practice (youth group, local
co-op, a group of degrowth activists, senior citizens club and a Christian
seniors group). The research team presented cultural probes to get to
know the participants and their performances of practices also within the
group, and held co-creation workshops to counter conflicts with handling sufficiency strategies.