Institutional complexity and organisational characteristics in the emerging sector of local energy systems - case study

Abstract

The formation of local energy systems (LES) is at a very early stage but their number is expected to increase rapidly. This paper aims to investigate the characteristics of the stakeholders and how their characteristics influence the activities they are engaged in regarding the LES emergence process. This way, our study lays the foundation for further analysis of the causal patterns in LES emergence. The recognition of the entity characteristics is done through a case study of an industrial microgrid. The case study shows how LES emergence is an interplay of stakeholders from different levels with different guiding institutional logics. Institutional complexity becomes apparent in strategic decisions of the municipality and its utility and their negotiations of the microgrid borders with the local DSO.