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Energy innovation is typically characterised as being either a national or urban phenomenon, particularly smart energy innovation that involves the digitalisation of existing energy infrastructure. ‘Smart Cities’ are portrayed as the natural home of energy innovation, where there is concentration of finance, people and resources, plus a dense confluence of utility infrastructures. However, energy social science research shows us that rural communities are also important in innovation and learning about new energy futures. In this chapter I summarise the current state of knowledge on rural energy innovation, highlight different social science perspectives using the conceptual lens of Science and Technology Studies (STS), and identify knowledge gaps and further research needs. The chapter draws on new empirical research from the rural island state of Tasmania, Australia.

Item Type:	Research Book Chapter
Keywords:	smart grids, rural communities, energy futures
Research Division:	Human Society
Research Group:	Human geography
Research Field:	Environmental geography
Objective Division:	Energy
Objective Group:	Energy storage, distribution and supply
Objective Field:	Energy services and utilities
UTAS Author:	Lovell, HC (Professor Heather Lovell)
ID Code:	149382
Year Published:	2021
Funding Support:	Australian Research Council (FT140100646)
Deposited By:	Office of the School of Social Sciences
Deposited On:	2022-03-28
Last Modified:	2022-05-13
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