Page 53 - European Energy Innovation - autumn 2017 publication

Autumn 2017 European Energy Innovation 53
integration challenge resulting from
the systemic implications of integrating
high penetrations of distributed and
variable power into the power system.
But transformation calls for more than
technology only.
It is also about converting technological SCIENCE & HUMANITIES
advances into products, services,
and business models that, under the
appropriate policies, actually deliver
value to society.
For instance, resulting from its
excellence in advanced PV concepts,
the EU is also developing a distinctive
leadership in designing PV for special
applications such as integration of
PV in the built environment. Such an
application, if competitively developed,
could actually become a game changer
and substantially transform the
energy model of cities. Furthermore,
in a densely populated continent
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EUROPEAN ENERGY RESEARCH ALLIANCE
such as Europe, it could eventually
unveil a huge market and develop
a growing competitive product and
service industry, firmly anchored in the transformation (i.e. how the community
local economy and not vulnerable to
offshoring.
THE ESSENTIAL ROLE OF SOCIAL
In addition to the availability of
affordable low carbon products and
services, accelerating the energy
transition also requires the active
contribution of consumers.
It needs endorsement and
acknowledgement by the citizens, who
need to become full actors of the newly The European Energy Research
created ecosystem.
It entails understanding the human
behavioral change dynamics that will
help define the appropriate boundary
conditions allowing technology
appropriation by the citizen (i.e. how
individuals interact with the power
technology) and eventually inducing
the desired lifestyle and societal
as a whole interacts with the power
system).
It is therefore crucial to involve actors
and communities in the innovation
cycle in order to create “living
innovation laboratories” able to pilot
the new concepts of products, services
and business models.
EERA, ADDRESSING THE GLOBAL
TRANSFORMATIONAL CHALLENGE
IN EUROPE
Alliance probably embodies today
the most relevant organisation in
the EU dedicated to addressing the
global challenge of transition to a
decarbonized energy regime.
By connecting about 250 of the