Abstract

This article examines the complex interrelationship between the evolution of knowledge and participation dynamics, and the decentralisation of energy infrastructure and governance, in the context of energy transitions. It considers the inextricable link between the configuration of energy systems and the knowledge dynamics that either support or challenge established arrangements. The data presented in this contribution were gathered through a qualitative study conducted on a project concerning the establishment of an energy community in an urban setting in Italy. The establishment of energy communities is confronted with a multitude of challenges that arise from the resistance of the centralised structure, including those concerning knowledge. However, the findings indicate that when an attempt to establish an energy community aligns with the needs and concerns of its potential members, these communities have the potential to become significant platforms where situated knowledge can be drawn upon and integrated with new considerations related to energy production and consumption. Therefore, while technical expertise is a prerequisite for the establishment of an energy community, the production and dissemination of non-expert knowledge is equally crucial. This enables the formation of novel relationships between individuals, technological artefacts, and practices. Such interconnections have the potential to challenge the underlying assumptions that support conventional, centralised, and technocratic energy systems.