Ongoing research projects
- Energy poverty in Norway (PowerPoor)
Definitions, Objectives, Households, Policies, and Implications for the Energy Transition in Norway - Ministries' governance of climate and emissions reduction efforts in subordinate directorates
A quantitative and qualitative study of allocation letters and policy guidelines from the ministries - Clean Energy Package
Norwegian perspectives on European Union’s energy and climate policy: An outside-in view of the provisions of the Clean Energy Package and the visions of the "European Green Deal" - SAMVIND
A methodology for integrating local acceptance of wind energy into energy system modeling - Governing sustainable energy use in the neighbourhood (NABOBRUK)
- EU emissions trading under pressure: will the climate transition and social justice be weakened and what are main implications for Norway?
- Energy poverty (Ph.D. project)
Norwegian households' experiences and management of energy poverty and the effectiveness of Norway's policies to reduce the problem
Completed research projects
- Social factors in energy systems modeling (Ph.D. Project)
Social acceptance and energy justice in energy systems modeling - Sustainable energy practices (Ph.D. project)
Consumers' ability to transition to sustainable energy practices: Equal opportunities or an unrealistic dream? - Electricity Subsidies in Scandinavia
A study of electricity subsidy schemes in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, and the rationale behind the countries' choices regarding the design of the schemes - Gendered energy transition (in Norwegian)
Gender relations and energy transition (solar energy) - chapter in the Handbook of Energy and Society, Edward Elgar Publishing - Bioenergy
Wood burning and advanced biofuels: Potential in energy systems as well as social systems through active participation and perceptions of justice
Results and recommendations 04/2022: Forest-based bioenergy in Norway’s green transition – balancing production and other societal interests (in Norwegian) - A Wind of Change
A Wind of Change? Shift in Norwegian municipalities’ attitudes towards wind power - Solar cells in housing cooperatives (in Norwegian)
Solar cells in housing cooperatives and tenants: A comparison of framework conditions in Norway and Germany - LOKALEN
Local energy opportunities: A case study of energy initiatives on the island of Utsira - Green industry (in Norwegian)
Conditions for the localization of new green industry with a focus on access to electricity and processes for just connectivity for the localization of green industry - Flexeffect
Flexible electricity use in households—barriers, opportunities, and impacts
Subproject: Energy investments at Vestsiden junior high school in Kongsberg
Key themes
Norway's energy system is changing. With national targets for emission reduction and energy efficiency, new EU regulations, increasing adoption of climate-friendly technologies, the introduction of smart meters, new grid tariffs, and more consumers producing their own electricity, we are witnessing an ongoing digitalisation and decentralisation of Norway's power system.
At the same time, we know from previous research that certain population groups, primarily low-income households, risk increased economic insecurity and constraints due to ongoing changes. In the projects included in this work package, we aim to shed light on the forces shaping the electric future in Norway and the social implications of such an energy transition.
We examine, among other things, how different stakeholders in society influence and participate in the energy transition and the distributional effects this yields, as well as the advantages and disadvantages that come with increased electrification compared to the diversification of the energy system, with regard to energy justice, decarbonisation, and value creation. We will also examine the impact of integration into the European power market on energy justice in Norway, what forces drive and what forces hinder further integration.
Practical tools
In our research, we will utilise a wide range of data collection methods, including document analysis, case studies, surveys, focus groups and in-depth interviews. We will interview households with socio-demographic variation, as well as relevant stakeholders and decision-makers at the national, regional and municipal levels. The knowledge generated will be utilised across Include’s other research areas.
The overarching goal is to provide recommendations on how resource efficiency can be enhanced and emissions reduced in a socially inclusive and just manner.