How can energy prosumerism align with sufficiency and justice principles? A typology for policymakers, researchers and practitioners

Abstract

Energy prosumerism as a concept has gained attention in recent years. It has been embraced by policymakers, employed to study community energy movements globally and to denote novel directions in the energy system transition for more sustainable, decentralised, and potentially democratic production and consumption. Nevertheless, the concept has also been critiqued as individualistic with a strong techno-economic orientation. Initially coined by Toffler (1980), the concept combines the words ‘producer’ and ‘consumer’, assuming a return to production for own use. Through typologising prosumerism along three core dimensions—degree of technological engagement, ownership, and participation—we propose a framework for assessing the extent to which energy prosumerism is compatible with social organisation towards increased energy sufficiency and energy justice. Through a practical and holistic framework, the three dimensions identified will help policymakers and other stakeholders assess the extent to which new energy prosumer projects can simultaneously advance energy sufficiency and energy justice.