Prosumers' perspectives in cultural heritage districts

Sweden's national goal, to achieve 100% renewable electricity production by 2040, is expected to drive production, for example, through solar cells closer to the end users with prosumage (producing, consuming and storage of renewable electricity). Our hypothesis is that the transition of a future decentralized energy production most effectively is implemented in smaller and medium-sized communities.

This development poses several challenges for urban environments with cultural-historical values, where the installation and integration of solar cells can be very controversial.

Democratic design methods will be used to answer the research questions; 1) what are the aspirations and needs of future prosumers, and how do they compel with the needs and of the authority requirements? 2) how do those who live and work in the area value solar panels integrated into cultural heritage environments, and how can creative co-creation, co-operative design, change their acceptance and values? 3) and how can assessments of cultural values be integrated into future decision-making processes?

The project will be carried out with two case studies, a community close to the city in Norrbotten, Öjebyn in Piteå, and a rural community on Gotland, both containing cultural heritage.

The project is part of Save and preserve, which is a research and development program initiated by the Swedish Energy Agency to increase knowledge about energy efficiency in buildings of culturally and historically valuable value.