Appendix IV

concept - hybrid innovation pathways to sustainability (Ely, 2013)

Interpretation

Relevance (to our sub-system)

Ivo

Hybrid innovation is the mix between grassroot and industrial innovation. This is an emerging cooperative concept between society and industry.

In our case we currently focus on the grass-root innovation concept and not much on the innovations from industry. However this could be a blind spot because Texel has potential to initiate the hybrid version (for instance the innovation of the salty potato that could be embraced by the restaurants)

Tessa

The hybrid innovation for sustainability lies between the two ends of the spectrum with one the one side the green industrialization (global, top-down) and on the grassroots innovation (local, bottom-up). The hybrid innovation is more dynamic, unpredictable and complex than the ends of the spectrum, since it is a kind of bridge between the two.

For the case of Texel is think it is relevant to acknowledge the difference between the two extremes and the hybrid innovation between. Texel will be pushed on the one hand by the green industrialization (e.g. by Dutch government and EU) and on the other hand has its own grassroots innovation (e.g. sustainable initiatives by Planet-Local). However, for the sub-system Sustain Lifestyle I think is not specifically relevant.

Noor

In the beginning of the Texel project we've tried to make clear distinction between people and problems. During the project is is noted that things are more embedded and complex. Towards the endresult is is of importance to keep this dynamic modus in mind. A complex and hybrid innovation maybe starts with two extremes but in the end, bringing people together, is about a right balance between ends of a spectrum. 

Anne

So far sustainable development has been on a spectrum with on one side global, big corporations, industrial development, profit & high tech, and on the other end local community projects for social justice and improving the living situation of people.

These two are slowly coming together more and more, since combined there are much more options, and these hybrid innovations can work on all dimensions. Often these partnerships tend to be uneasy, but they allow both sides to transgress barriers they couldn’t pass on their own.

Texel on one hand has been a hotspot for experiments with government funded high-tech innovations, which have no mostly ended. On the other hand, there are also a lot of grassroots experiments which still run. This high-tech experiment was already pretty far towards becoming a hybrid system, as it really involved itself in the local community and living improvement, which is good. However no hybrid innovation will ever take unless there is a way to fund it or get profit on it.

concept - 3D agenda of hybrid innovations (Ely, 2013)

Interpretation

Relevance (to our sub-system)

Ivo

Paper  suggests a 3D agenda for governance of change: Directions of innovation, Distribution of Costs and Diversity of innovation. Directions are chosen from the different pathways of incorporating sustainable innovations. Distribution is about allocating costs, benefits, responsibilities in relation to the innovation.

Diversity is about keeping options open to alter the policy if needed and not be captured by a dominant pathway / lock in.

In our case the main vision (Texel sustainable in 2020) is set but still lacks a direction (how) distribution (who) and diversity.

Tessa

The three key issues (3D agenda) for  hybrid innovations to sustainability are 1) direction (goals, pathways to proceed), 2) distribution (of costs, benefits, risks, etc.) and 3) diversity (knowledge, way of doing things, forms of innovation, etc).

The aspects of the 3D agenda could be used in Texel as discussion points between the different lifestyles, since they all should agree on the direction, distribution and diversity towards the shared goal of a 100% self-sufficient Texel in 2065.

Noor

  Implemented on the Texel case; The literature shows the importance of reflection on current initiatives and ones from the past. This is not about one main aproach anymore. As part of chapter three, this has already been done. Besides,  the who did it and who is responsible  and who will benefit are interesting questions when it comes to sustainable innovations. It is about balancing between the incomes and outcomes. Equal distribution and more sustainable gains are of more interest than innovative start-ups. Focussing on Texel; what innovations did have the best spread outcome and biggest influences?

Since we work in a multidisciplinary team (IO, TB, BK, CT) on the texel project i already noticed advantages caused by the different interpretatians and visions that came with the variaty of background. This is very usefull to tackle the problems in our sub-system of sustainable lifestyles.

Anne

Since hybrid innovation is much more complex and dynamic, there are often tensions and misunderstandings. A 3D political framework might be able to help. 1. directions will help make people clearer on goals, which is helpful, so there are no surprises when other paths close down when the project develops further. 2. Distribution will create clarity on who is responsible for making sure everything goes to plan and sustainable innovation does not outweigh the negative aspects on parts of society. Diversity is there to share knowledge and allow actors to keep a balanced variety of different options.

Several points on the agenda are very good points, and especially help spread awareness of the innovations towards the people, who will be able to give better input, and share their knowledge, which increased the chance of success.

concept - transition pathways in electrical infrastructure & multi-level perspective

Interpretation

Relevance (to our sub-system)

Ivo

Three pathways are discussed based on the transition pathways of Schot and Geels: Transformation (further hybridization), Reconfiguration (Afr/EU Super Grid) and De-alignment/re-alignment (distributed generation). Option 1 and 2 are most likely when assessed on the scales of costs, reliability and environmental issues.

Tessa

In order to assess the quality and value of visions and scenarios of future energy systems, the authors introduce the transition pathways based on the multi-level perspective. Four pathways are determined, of which the ‘Technological substitution’ pathway is not relevant for the energy system. The transition pathways differ on the kinds and timing of interactions within the system.

For the case of Texel it might be relevant to determine which pathways are most likely to occur and how these pathways could be shaped. Because of the existence of difference lifestyles in Texel, there are also different visions for the future of Texel and there are several possible scenarios for how Texel will reach the goal of 100% self-sufficiency in 2065.

Noor

Anne

The writers consider several situations that could lead to change in the energy system. These situations are different each time, with outside pressure, or inside niche innovation or a complete derailment of the current structure due to some sort of big change in the political climate around them.

It would be interesting for texel to see which of these pathways would be most advantageous, but also which would be most likely, and combine best with the existing situation. However there is currently definitely a pressure on resources, as everything needs to be brought in from outside, which could put political pressure on the current energy providers.

concept - transformation pathway (further towards hybrid grids)

Interpretation

Relevance (to our sub-system)

Ivo

This is the incremental transformation path, which actually already occurs. A hybrid form of central and decentralized production of energy. High on reliability, medium on (sunk)costs and low on environmental impact

This approach will be well suited for Texel. It does not bring radical change and can therefore create a high support from the local population.

Tessa

The transition pathway stays closed to the current system, so here the least changes take place. There is some external pressure which leads to a gradual reorientation in the current regime, the actors at regime level play the role towards change. The main driver for this pathway is economic and cost-efficiency if the most important policy goal.

Since the Profit-Local is economically driven, he will probably be advocate of this pathways in Texel, since here the main driver is also economic and the cost-efficiency is the highest policy goal. The Profit-Local could be regarded as a regime actor.

Noor

In this pathway pressure from social groups is leading, and hereto they modify their developments.

In our Texel project, we are dealing with such a same principal whereby we put pressure on a system - and others have to react.

Anne

A transformation strategy is always started by external pressure. The current hybrid system is criticized by society or other factors, and in response to this the existing actors will slowly start to change the trajectory of the current regime (the regime consists of the technology - grid/infrastructure, actors, and rule system). The existing actors stay within the system, exerting very modest change, only in reaction to outside pressure.

This approach involves slowly changing towards a more sustainable lifestyle due to pressure from political forces. In this case one of the energy providers, EnergieTexel, who is focused on bringing sustainable energy to texel. This pathway would not require major infrastructure changes, which is economically profitable.

concept - reconfiguration pathway (towards a Supergrid)

Interpretation

Relevance (to our sub-system)

Ivo

This theory of a Supergrid that connects Scandinavia (hydropower), Western Europe (Wind power) and Northern Africa (Solar Power) to each other. High costs, medium reliability and high is environmental impact

This approach is too big to complete in 2020 and it involves too many stakeholders and counties to agree upon. Not suitable (yet) for our subsystem.

Tessa

The reconfiguration pathway involves changes in policy paradigms. Here the external pressure results in problems in the regime, therefore the regime adopts niche innovations into the system, but the system will not be fully replaced. The regime and niche actors play both important roles. The main driver for this pathway is political and reliability is the most important policy goal.

The lifestyles/groups in Texel which do think policy should be the driver for change, are likely to be advocate of this pathway. In our framework this will be the municipality/government, which exists of both Planet-Locals and Profit-Locals. The Planet-Locals could be regarded as the niche actors, the Profit-Locals as regime actors.

Noor

 This pathway is more about change after facing problems in a certain environment. Herein the basic architecture of the regime is changing in a substantial way, since there is a strong relation and cooperation between regime actors and outsiders.

I see the environmental goal, a self sufficient Texel, as a goal that arose from problems about the environment. But the people around it are more focussing on pressure - and transformation - then on actual reconfiguration, in my opinion.

Anne

This situation involves political problems that threaten the reliability of resources, which leads countries to renew their research into renewable energy sources. At the same time cooperation with these countries is strengthened, and these countries have large scale power plants that create renewable energy and are interconnected to provide each other with more reliability in a supergrid.

Texel has always had a problem with reliability of resources, as they are a step further removed from them than the rest of the Netherlands. As this pathway involved major restructuring from many countries, Texel is not big enough to instigate a path such as this.

concept - De-alignment and re-alignment pathway (towards distributed generation)

Interpretation

Relevance (to our sub-system)

Ivo

Focus in this pathway is on distributed generation of power. Large impact on landscape. Medium on costs, low on reliability and medium on environmental impact

Can be used in Texel however the high impact on the landscape will scare off most of the Texelaars I think.

Tessa

The de/re-alignment pathway involves changes in policy paradigms. The landscape changes lead to huge problems and destabilization in the regime. Multiple niche-innovations and experimentation are present, finally the most dominant option restructures the system. This main driver is cultural and the most important policy goal is local control and reduced external dependence.

For this pathway the main driver is cultural, but I think that the culture (attitude or mentality) of the Planet-Local will be most relevant. Within this pathway the Profit-Local (in the regime) acknowledges the problems and allows the Planet-Locals (with their niche innovations and experimentations) to restructure the system in Texel towards 100% self-sufficiency in 2065.

Noor

Big changes and pressure in landscape leads to changes in regimes, wherein the regime destabilises. During this period of uncurtainty, experimenting arises into wherein one option to redesign the regime becomes the most dominant one.

The part of uncertainty, and loosing faith matches the view of the profit locals. But the enourmous pressure on the landscape is felt by the planet local. From out different perspectives they both strive for major restructering of the regime - since both feel uncurtainty.

Anne

In this situation the landscape pressures escalate much faster than in the reconfiguration pathway, and as a reaction to this everyone is thrown into a period of uncertainty and experimentation. Some of these experiment niche sectors upscale to their local area, which forms a microgrid, which are loosely combined with other microgrids nearby. This infrastructure is so different from the way it is now it requires a total redo the current system.

This pathway is dependant on outside forces. Not until the trust in the current system is gone, will something like this happen. Though as this path will require entirely on energy generated on Texel, it might be too big of a change and risk for most Texelaars.