Towards a Joint Local Energy Transition Process in Urban Districts: The GO2Zero Simulation Game

Geertje Bekebrede, Ellen Van Bueren and Ivo Wenzler
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Geertje Bekebrede: Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, TU Delft, Jaffalaan 5, 2628BX Delft, The Netherlands
Ellen Van Bueren: Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft, Julianalaan 134, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands
Ivo Wenzler: Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, TU Delft, Julianalaan 134, 2628BL Delft, The Netherlands

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 8, 1-20

Abstract: The depletion of fossil fuel sources for our energy system and the influence on overall CO 2 emissions drive the need to more sustainable energy systems. The transition towards a renewable energy system cannot be seen as a purely technical issue; it is strongly embedded within society. In this study, we analyze the stakeholder complexities of the transition in urban districts and research the use of a simulation game to increase the understanding of the complexity of the transition. Surveys and observations were used to collect data about the learning experiences of playing the game GO2Zero. The results show that participants liked to play the game and they considered the game a valid representation of the system. Further, the participants agree that they obtained a better understanding of the complexity of the residential energy system and experienced a variety of challenges in the transition. Simulation games, like GO2Zero, could become valuable instruments in local energy transition processes as they offer a safe environment for novices and experts to jointly experiment with the challenges in this process. These experiences could support the design of the transition process by helping actors to formulate goals and collaborative strategies for achieving those goals. Future research will focus on the use of this game for experimenting with different strategies and instruments and to analyze their effects.

Keywords: low carbon cities; energy transition; energy renovation; stakeholder management; simulation games (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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