Making Energy Futures at the Edge of the Grid: Smart Energy Innovation in Rural Communities

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