Energy Transitions and Potentials for Democratic Change

Abstract

This chapter sets forth the critical (in)sight made possible by the book's inquiry into current conduct of energy transition. Placing the sights derived from our inquiry side by side, it shows that `renewable energy resource', `market', `economic instrument', `technological demonstration', `scale', and `horizon' should all be regarded as constructed categories, which incorporate and foster definite and situated politics. While revisiting what transitioning means, the chapter makes clear that a relational analysis has a systemic reach because it allows acknowledgment of the consequences of this politics and engagement with the implications of current energy transition processes. It concludes with proposing the idea of `transition potential' and suggesting ways of sustaining energy transition potentials that are more democratic.