Collectivization of Local Demand Through Localized Energy Needs and Resource Assessment—Understanding Demands Realism

The traditional focus on technical and economic aspects of technology (policy), creates technological systems which is crystalline and fixated. Such a system with little or no scope for changes or adaptation could be an impediment to aptly sculpting social systems and eventually, human lives. While this being a discernable belief, however, an immersive, contextual approach exhibits an alternate view—a greater social-ecological influence on technology infusion based on the lived experiences of consumers would aid technological acculturation. Thus, arguing for a shift of focus towards an alternate soft system in terms of—technology choice, use, and control by an end-user based on realistic assessment of demand that is inherently labile and complex. Making things even more complicated is the fact that, social choices are influenced by other changes occurring in society at the same time. These extraneous elements (local power and institutional dynamics) are cumulative and compounding in complex ways. Therefore, gaining insight into the societal outcomes of a particular scheme deployment requires an understanding of the changing social setting (in which the technology is embedded). It cannot be gained from a limited focus on the technology and its direct effects based on unrealistic macro-targets. Evidence-based policy approach, thus, creates an opportunity to study demands realism—the actual need for a technology and associated service within a social set up. It calls for an informed policy approach for technology deployment towards attainment of social goals. This entails policy discussion and deliberation based on an ecosystem approach—understanding the social, economic, and political, which underpin actual expectations and lay the foundations of actual demand for primary energy and an energy service.