Abstract
The aim of this Work Package 6 (WP6) report is to describe and analyze insights from Interreg North Sea WaterWarmth demonstration pilots. Specifically, WP6 examines the pilots' innovation and governance arrangements that help implementation and scaling of aqua thermal energy (AE) systems in real-world
contexts. The work is therefore primarily based on lessons learned through a mixed methods approach with the Interreg North Sea WaterWarmth project pilots. To help address the shortage of knowledge on innovation of AE systems, this report builds on frameworks previously used in WP6 work (see Deliverable 6.1; Hoppe et al., 2024) where a mapping of theoretical frameworks and a typology to analyze governance of AE and other heating systems was performed. Particularly, we are applying three of the approaches and theoretical
frameworks from Deliverable 6.1 from various scholarly backgrounds. For example, the multi-level perspective (MLP) and Strategic Niche Management (SNM) have a background in Science-and Technology Systems studies, Transition Studies and Evolutionary Economics, while Governance Arrangements (GA) has
its roots in Governance and Policy Studies. As the focus of this report is on bottom-up niche level developments, we use concepts from SNM involving voicing and shaping of expectations, network formation, and learning. The pilots are implemented under societal conditions and hence also influenced by the existing heating regimes. Therefore, we address challenges and tensions, which we assume indicates incumbent regime influence that often hinders AE innovation development applying the MLP. Finally, we are interested in what role governance, and more specifically, regulation plays in pilots. This refers to organization authority and legitimacy, the role of government, and policy instruments like regulations, permit systems, and/ or subsidies.
For this report, nine pilot projects using an exploratory multi-case study approach were studied. The first questions for mapping the AE projects were posed to individual pilot leads in an online survey in April 2024. A workshop with the pilots was then held in Caen, France in May 2024. Following this, semi-structured interviews were performed with nine key pilot study respondents throughout the autumn of 2024. The results are assessed for each pilot within this report, and a synthesis analysis is presented followed by conclusions and policy recommendations. Results show that not all nine pilots have a vision. Four of the pilots indicate they do not yet have a vision, while five others indicate they. Four pilots are located in municipalities that operate a municipal heat vision. Networking was observed to occur in various forms across the pilots. In several projects networking was seen as a way to attract key stakeholders, with projects having internal guidelines on how to select stakeholders who are considered desireful to join the network. This includes having frequent and also bilateral meetings with local stakeholders, in two cases leading to the formation of
a local heat coalition. However, networking was also observed as a way to mobilize intra (organization- and intra-municipal capacity to advocate AE in regional policy making, so as to develop and adapt policy frameworks and planning schemes. Learning was practiced in different ways among the pilots. First, learning takes place by involving local stakeholders in projects and benefiting from their experiences and perceptions. In some of the pilots this even entailed citizen participation and co-creation of plans. In five pilots learning
from past experiences of other and past, similar pilots occurred. Learning was also observed to occur in a reflective way. For example, by monitoring and reflecting on one’s own project planning and implementation process. As well as learning from monitoring progress, ongoing data collection, developing a knowledge
base.
Different aspects of governance are considered across the nine pilots. First, as a positive development of
national, regional or local Climate Agreements on banning natural gas spurred action towards sustainable
initiatives like AE. At the same time there are still plenty of regulatory barriers that need to be overcome, l
such as permit systems. In general, there is a need for establishing a national Collective Heat Act to regulate
collective district heating systems using AE heat sources.
contexts. The work is therefore primarily based on lessons learned through a mixed methods approach with the Interreg North Sea WaterWarmth project pilots. To help address the shortage of knowledge on innovation of AE systems, this report builds on frameworks previously used in WP6 work (see Deliverable 6.1; Hoppe et al., 2024) where a mapping of theoretical frameworks and a typology to analyze governance of AE and other heating systems was performed. Particularly, we are applying three of the approaches and theoretical
frameworks from Deliverable 6.1 from various scholarly backgrounds. For example, the multi-level perspective (MLP) and Strategic Niche Management (SNM) have a background in Science-and Technology Systems studies, Transition Studies and Evolutionary Economics, while Governance Arrangements (GA) has
its roots in Governance and Policy Studies. As the focus of this report is on bottom-up niche level developments, we use concepts from SNM involving voicing and shaping of expectations, network formation, and learning. The pilots are implemented under societal conditions and hence also influenced by the existing heating regimes. Therefore, we address challenges and tensions, which we assume indicates incumbent regime influence that often hinders AE innovation development applying the MLP. Finally, we are interested in what role governance, and more specifically, regulation plays in pilots. This refers to organization authority and legitimacy, the role of government, and policy instruments like regulations, permit systems, and/ or subsidies.
For this report, nine pilot projects using an exploratory multi-case study approach were studied. The first questions for mapping the AE projects were posed to individual pilot leads in an online survey in April 2024. A workshop with the pilots was then held in Caen, France in May 2024. Following this, semi-structured interviews were performed with nine key pilot study respondents throughout the autumn of 2024. The results are assessed for each pilot within this report, and a synthesis analysis is presented followed by conclusions and policy recommendations. Results show that not all nine pilots have a vision. Four of the pilots indicate they do not yet have a vision, while five others indicate they. Four pilots are located in municipalities that operate a municipal heat vision. Networking was observed to occur in various forms across the pilots. In several projects networking was seen as a way to attract key stakeholders, with projects having internal guidelines on how to select stakeholders who are considered desireful to join the network. This includes having frequent and also bilateral meetings with local stakeholders, in two cases leading to the formation of
a local heat coalition. However, networking was also observed as a way to mobilize intra (organization- and intra-municipal capacity to advocate AE in regional policy making, so as to develop and adapt policy frameworks and planning schemes. Learning was practiced in different ways among the pilots. First, learning takes place by involving local stakeholders in projects and benefiting from their experiences and perceptions. In some of the pilots this even entailed citizen participation and co-creation of plans. In five pilots learning
from past experiences of other and past, similar pilots occurred. Learning was also observed to occur in a reflective way. For example, by monitoring and reflecting on one’s own project planning and implementation process. As well as learning from monitoring progress, ongoing data collection, developing a knowledge
base.
Different aspects of governance are considered across the nine pilots. First, as a positive development of
national, regional or local Climate Agreements on banning natural gas spurred action towards sustainable
initiatives like AE. At the same time there are still plenty of regulatory barriers that need to be overcome, l
such as permit systems. In general, there is a need for establishing a national Collective Heat Act to regulate
collective district heating systems using AE heat sources.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 39 |
| Publication status | Published - 28 Apr 2025 |
Keywords
- renewable energy
- aqua thermal energy
- innovation
- governance
- niche
