How alternative metrics challenge existing dynamics of problematization and contribute to competing valuations of energy
This subproject investigates (a) how new metrics are invented, identified, and selected, and (b) how these alternative metrics may be promoted or how established ones are transformed. Based on an initial literature review, emphasis will be given to the following metrics: 1) Energy Return on Investment (Hall et al. 2009; Hall 2017; Brockway et al. 2019; Capellán-Pérez et al. 2019), 2) current struggles to ‘move beyond the LCoE’ (Benes & Augustin, 2016) and 3) CO2-neutrality calculations associated with biomass. This choice will be further corroborated through interviews (20) with energy planners and other relevant bureaucrats and through reviewing Danish and international scientific literature on metrics and administrative documents (energy plans, alternative energy plans, etc.). This will enable us to identify some of the main figures involved in promoting alternative metrics, both in a Danish and international context, laying the basis for 5-10 expert interviews to detail how these metrics are evaluated. The subproject will also ‘test’ how bureaucratic stakeholders will react to alternative metrics by arranging two workshops (4-hours duration). The workshops will be used to promote the alternative metrics, and exploring the question of ‘what if’ to find out how acceptance and resistance is formulated. The workshops will be recorded, transcribed, and analyzed abductively, i.e. identifying themes through iterative readings of the transcriptions, other empirical findings, and the literature.
This project is conducted by Kirkegaard (leader), Røpke, Iuel-Stissing and Johansen