FutureEnergyStories
Human and societal needs are what drive the development of the energy system. At the same time, how the energy system is designed impacts the society - how we transport ourselves, what we work with and how we spend our free time.
Change runs like a common thread through human history. The radiator replaced the fireplace, the light bulb replaced the candle and email replaced the letter. New technical solutions have changed the way we live and how society is organized. Our needs also give rise to new innovations. The Nordic electricity system was designed to transport the electricity from the hydro power plants in the north down to the demand centers in the south. The energy system shapes and is shaped by us humans.
What does the future hold for the energy system in northern Sweden? How would your energy behavior change in a future where the price of electricity varies with the weather? What would you do more of during periods of low electricity prices, what would you postpone during periods of high electricity prices?
We apply science fiction to help us and others to think about the future and to create a greater understanding of what an energy system with a large share of renewables can mean for society.
Welcome to four fictional stories that explore just this and learn more about our future energy system.
Windy City

What do you do when there is an electricity surplus and the electricity is almost free?
How can buildings be designed to lower the energy demand during high demand periods?
The Wild Tour

Can energy plants be made graceful and beautiful?
What if we moved out almost all the people from Northern Sweden's inland and it became a place mainly for nature and power production?
The Stillout

If electricity was limited during certain periods – Where should we use it?
To what would you prioritize it for during these periods?
Spring Fires Day

We are the ones changing the society - How do we ensure that the future will be better than today
Regardless of whether the new green industries materialize or not?
Implementation of the project
The project has been initiated by Anna Krook-Riekkola (LTU) and run together with Johan Granberg, Sara Bargi and Maria Håkansson (RISE). Everyone has contributed with their perspectives based on extensive experience of studying the energy transition from different perspectives.
Even though the stories are fictional, they are based on what research sees about what the future energy system might look like, sometimes with a slight twist. The stories come with a set of questions that we researchers want the readers to reflect on.
Andrew Dana Hudson has written the stories. Andrew is an established author in the genre and has previously written, among other pieces: Our Shared Storm: A Novel of Five Climate Futures (Fordham University Press), Solarshades (in Cities of Light, Arizona State University) and Under the grid (in The Weight of Light, Arizona State University). Andrew was employed by the project in spring 2023 where he, together with the project team, helped plan and facilitate the four Narrative Hackathons that were the basis for the stories. Andrew was given artistic freedom to use whatever inspired him from the Hackathons and to go outside the box of what we scientists see about the future.
The illustrations are made by Daniel Bjerneholt, Haus Society AB, based on instructions regarding what we researchers wanted to communicate from each story.
The project also involved Linn Johansson (RISE) who coordinated the exhibition, Karna Mandahl (LTU during Fall 2023) and invited participants at our Narrative Hackathons.
The project has been made possible by the following partners and financiers:

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