Filetype
The Swedish energy sector has gone through a number of major changes over the last 15 years. In 1996, the electricity market was deregulated, and at the same time the prerequisites for district heating were changed, as the heat was now supposed to be sold at market price rather than self-cost price. In this chapter we analyse the process of market transformation in the district heating sector foll
Analysing and understanding energy consumption from the household activity perspective is vital for developing policy that promotes sustainable everyday life. Doing so entails learning how to connect policy with household activities and everyday life. We use a time-geographic visualization to analyse several dimensions of everyday life as a totality. From household members' time diaries, we can an
A new electricity-production concept attracted massive media attention in Sweden during 2008 when companies be-gan marketing small-scale photovoltaic panels (PVs) and microwind turbines. The products were launched by their simplicity: the components are so easy to install that anyone can do it. How, then, do households perceive these products? Why would households choose to buy them? What do house
The need to analyze and understand energy consumption in relation to households' activity patterns is vital for developing policy means that contribute to an energy efficient life and what people would deem as a "good" everyday life. To do this we need to learn more about how energy use is a part of everyday life; this article contributes to that objective. We use the time-geographic diary approac
Energy is an important resource in society and we often depend on energy in our everyday life. Energy-related emissions constitute at the same time a major environmental load, and we need to use energy more efficiently. To develop sustainable energy systems users need to transform their behaviour and start reflecting on their energy use. The aim of this paper is to discuss different methods to vis
This paper combines engineering and social science approaches to enhance our understanding of industrial energy efficiency and broaden our perspective on policy making in Europe. Sustainable development demands new strategies, solutions, and policy-making approaches. Numerous studies of energy efficiency potential state that cost-effective energy efficiency technologies in industry are not always
Environmental problems in the energy system often originate from everyday activities and choices. Everyday activities in the home are part of the private sphere that can be contested in relation to energy policies. This article discusses the public-private divide in energy policies and how Swedish municipal energy consultants understand the divide. By analyzing the actions of energy consultants an
This article focuses on households' action space and perceived responsibilities during power outages, and on how municipalities and grid companies understand their own and the households' responsibilities and action space. Results from a case study in the county of Östergötland showed that household responsibilities in terms of preparedness for outages were unclear to the actors. Both municipaliti
This paper compares how analyses of energy use and efficiency have developed in households and industrial small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). I focus on earlier studies that use lifestyle categories in examining household energy use, comparing them with studies of mainly Swedish industrial SMEs using the barrier concept in understanding energy efficiency. The main question is how the use o
This article examines the discourse that the idea of efficiency is built upon according to different actors trying to influence households' energy behaviour in Sweden. The focus is on information from authorities as well as from interest organisations and energy companies. Information directed to households often contains a strong idea that the individual has to take responsibility for his/her own
In times of climate change political goals concern a reduction in total energy consumption and to use energy more efficiently. To achieve this, users need to transform their behaviour and start reflecting on their energy use. This paper discusses three different methods for visualising energy use, namely information tools, keeping time-diaries and using the 'Power-Aware Cord'. Each method has its
The article discusses accountability in governance of local energy and IT systems. The aim is to focus on accountability of local policy making regarding technical systems by comparing consequences when new forms of governance are developed. Governance steering demands and ensures a clear division of responsibility regarding what a network is responsible for, but not regarding who is accountable f
This paper discusses how various actors communicate about and coordinate sea rescue activities in networks. We combine a network approach with theories of inter-organization communication to understand how communication can facilitate or limit coordination in networks. Search and rescue officers retain the overall authority to direct rescue missions, and coordination with several other professions
A secure energy supply is a basic need of society. Along with electricity market deregulation, a responsibility gap has arisen, where private energy companies lack economic incentives to invest in an electricity distribution grid that is secured to the level desired by society. This article discusses the emergency management strategies of municipal authorities for securing the electricity supply,
Energy is an important social resource on which we depend in our everyday lives; however, energy-related emissions constitute a major environmental load, so we need to use energy more efficiently. To develop sustainable energy systems, users should transform their behavior and start reflecting on their energy use. This paper discusses different methods for visualizing household energy use. We will
The trend in the district heating industry is toward increased privatization and openness to competition, which bring with them other phenomena associated with civil law, such as bankruptcies. Vingåker was one of six Swedish municipalities whose district heating companies went bankrupt in 2004. The bankruptcy caused major disruptions in Vingåker, not least as a result of the unregulated legal fram
This study aims to increase our understanding of how co-operation in inter-municipality policy networks in a Swedish region is established and maintained regarding emergency management. We discuss how a network of five municipalities emerged and took shape. Overall, we conclude that co-ordination and co-operation in municipal emergency management are probably relatively easy to develop, because it
Case studies of two Swedish municipalities indicate that the general energy area was divided into three independent policy areas: One dealing with supply, one with conservation and one with environmental questions related to the Agenda 21 vision of an ecologically sustainable energy system. However, the dominant energy policy area in the municipalities was supply policy. This article discusses why
