The Grassroots Energy Transition in Poland Through a Sociological Lens Cover Image

The Grassroots Energy Transition in Poland Through a Sociological Lens
The Grassroots Energy Transition in Poland Through a Sociological Lens

Author(s): Radosław Tyrała, Łukasz Afeltowicz, Maria Nawojczyk
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Sociology, Social development, Human Ecology, Environmental interactions, Green Transformation
Published by: Wydział Socjologii Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Keywords: energy transition; energy clusters; sociological vacuum; apparent actions; institutional isomorphism

Summary/Abstract: An energy transition is underway in Poland. Various socio-technical models of energy production and consumption are being tested, including prosumption, renewable energy generation, and microgrids. However, success has been limited. We show that sociological concepts developed to explain the course of the socio-economic transformation in Poland can easily be applied to Poland’s energy transition. Using such theoretical categories as “sociological vacuum,” “apparent actions,” and institutional isomorphism, we explain the lack of success of the energy transition in Poland in connection with the functioning of different types of energy communities. This text is not a report on empirical research. Although we refer to our empirical research, which we have discussed more extensively elsewhere, the text is theoretical in nature. Our goal is to bring classical sociological categories into the discussion of energy transformations.

  • Issue Year: 2024
  • Issue No: 26
  • Page Range: 107-128
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: English
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