Understanding values embedded in offshore wind energy systems: Toward a purposeful institutional and technological design. Issue 53 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Künneke, Rolf; Mehos, Donna C.; Hillerbrand, Rafaela; Hemmes, Kas
• Is Part Of: Environmental science & policy. Issue 53:Part B(2015:Nov.)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Purposeful design -- Societal acceptability -- Wind energy systems -- Capability approach -- Institutional economics; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Sciences de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Environmental policy; Environmental sciences; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.70561
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2015.06.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1462-9011

Abstract

Highlights: Purposeful design of offshore energy systems is related to moral and social values. Technical and institutional designs are addressed. A theoretical framework helps identify values embedded in offshore energy systems. Purposeful design can be informed by value conflicts. Abstract: The challenge of a purposeful design addressed in this article is to align offshore energy systems not only with technical and economic values like efficiency and profitability, but also with moral and social values more generally. We elaborate a theoretical framework that allows us to make a systematic inventory of embedded values of offshore energy systems and relate them to their societal acceptability. By characterizing both objects and subjects of acceptability, we shed light on ways to identify areas of value conflicts that must be addressed in purposeful design. We suggest the capabilities approach as a normative theory to deal with the arising value conflicts.