Rewiring Justice: Operationalizing Intersectionality for an equitable Smart Energy Future in Great Britain

Sharma, Nickhil (2025) Rewiring Justice: Operationalizing Intersectionality for an equitable Smart Energy Future in Great Britain. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Preview

PDF Download (4MB) | Preview

Abstract

Smart energy technologies (SETs) are transforming Great Britain’s energy landscape, yet emerging research reveals they risk reinforcing existing inequalities and creating new forms of disadvantage. Current understandings of their social justice implications focus narrowly on specific household attributes like low income or digital literacy, often overlooking how they compound each other or relate to social categories such as gender, ethnicity, and (dis)ability. Critical analyses of techno-optimistic narratives and top-down implementation of these technologies within neoliberal frameworks are also lacking. Using intersectionality as a radical orientation and transformative practical tool to address these research gaps, the study draws on 11 interviews and case studies across 3 pioneering organizations—a charity, social enterprise, and energy distributor—to uncover critical justice concerns and propose strategies that go beyond surface-level fixes to address the root causes of energy inequalities.

Findings reveal that, despite variations in how inclusion strategies are implemented and motivations for prioritizing intersectionality, ensuring fairness in the ongoing smart energy transitions remained an urgent priority across all three organizations. Intersectionality proved to be a valuable tool for understanding the interconnections between household capabilities and building solidarity across diverse SET experiences. Although each organization recognized its potential to improve inclusivity and address blind spots, operational constraints often hindered deeper, transformative engagement.

This thesis proposes three novel focal points for future studies: (i) centring diverse user identities, recognizing the varied influences of gender, ethnicity, age, and income on SET engagement and flexibility market participation, and emphasizing tailored policies to address specific barriers; (ii) examining how legacy inequalities, such as those impacting private renters or low-income households, persist within smart energy contexts, increasing accountability for institutions involved; and (iii) addressing intersecting power structures—capitalism, racism, and ableism—that compound energy vulnerabilities, like housing inequalities affecting certain demographics.

Rewiring approaches to justice is indispensable for developing a truly inclusive smart energy future. While operationalising intersectionality may present risks and challenges, it holds the potential to initiate the incremental changes needed to radically dismantle the root causes of injustice within the smart energy landscape.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	Kitty Laine
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2025 09:49
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2025 09:49
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99443
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item