innovations-in-Waiting: Practice Reconfigurations in and Beyond Sustainably Heated Households

25 Pages Posted: 20 Oct 2023

See all articles by Evert van Beek

Evert van Beek

Delft University of Technology

Stella Boess

Delft University of Technology

Bozzon Alessandro

Delft University of Technology

Elisa Giaccardi

Delft University of Technology

Abstract

Domestic heating systems need to change to meet climate targets. This paper contributes to a new understanding of the effects of introducing new and efficient heating technologies on everyday life within the household and beyond. We draw from the field of practice-oriented design research where disruptions are conceptualized as potential sites of innovation. This paper then reports on an ethnographic study of the disruptions and consequent reconfigurations that occur in households when new heating technologies are introduced. Our findings show a variety of reconfigurations and a potential role for further impact of these innovations-in-waiting. We also find that reconfigurations in household practices are related to, and might impact, other practices including professional ones. We discuss our findings with reference to the role of policy, technology developers and households, and conclude that there is further potential for innovative practice reconfigurations to contribute to sustainability transitions.

Keywords: energy transition, innovation, household, social practices, design, ethnography, Netherlands

Suggested Citation

van Beek, Evert and Boess, Stella and Alessandro, Bozzon and Giaccardi, Elisa, innovations-in-Waiting: Practice Reconfigurations in and Beyond Sustainably Heated Households. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4608519 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4608519

Evert Van Beek (Contact Author)

Delft University of Technology ( email )

Stella Boess

Delft University of Technology ( email )

Stevinweg 1
Stevinweg 1
Delft, 2628 CN
Netherlands

Bozzon Alessandro

Delft University of Technology ( email )

Stevinweg 1
Stevinweg 1
Delft, 2628 CN
Netherlands

Elisa Giaccardi

Delft University of Technology ( email )

Stevinweg 1
Stevinweg 1
Delft, 2628 CN
Netherlands

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