The praxis of empowerment: facilitating community empowerment for energy transformations

Energy technology is fundamentally changing, with multiple visions of the future possible. The development of decentralised and distributed renewable energy is facilitating the entrance of new actors into the energy system, including communities. As energy systems are integral to the regular functioning of society and the economy, their transformation provides opportunities for community benefit and realignment for a more just and inclusive society. However, communities must be empowered to counter and resist incumbent interests to accelerate and deepen energy transformations. This thesis presents a novel framework of community empowerment in energy transformations.