Potential of open source hardware for decentralized energy supply with renewable energies in the socio-ecological transformation

The democratization of the energy transition is complex. Little research has been done on the role of technical skills, openness—not only of the process, but of the technology itself—and the quality of human-technology relationships for the social sustainability of energy transition technologies. The PODEST project addresses this issue with a focus on open source hardware.

Objectives

The open source hardware movement has set itself the goal of enabling the sustainable development and application of technologies by making construction plans for technical components, products, and systems publicly available, focusing on easily replicable technical solutions with readily available components. The aim is to make technology more transparent and accessible on the one hand, and to promote needs-based technology development “from the bottom up” on the other. Although there are already numerous examples of open source hardware in the field of energy supply, there has been a lack of systematic, interdisciplinary research into the potential for the energy transition and transdisciplinary strategies for disseminating sustainable concepts.

Research Questions

• What open source hardware solutions for decentralized energy supply already exist? How can these be evaluated from a socio-technical perspective and in terms of their potential for a fair energy transition, and how can they be systematized for further research and development?
• How can open source hardware solutions be further developed, taking into account various technological concepts and circularity aspects as well as different application and usage scenarios, and what effects do they have in practical application for everyday energy supply?
• How can open source hardware solutions for decentralized energy supply be better disseminated and scaled? Is it possible to prepare open hardware solutions in such a way that they can be used largely without prior technical knowledge?
• Which technical systems can only be set up with the help of or by specialists? In which areas is a specialist also necessary from a legal perspective and for the safe operation of the systems (e.g., grid connection)?

Transfer

The potential of open source hardware for a socially just, socially supported energy transition includes:

Improved access to technology and participation: Freely available construction plans and designs can promote and enable the democratization of technology, allowing low-income households, communities, and regions without a high level of technical development to benefit from the energy transition.

Local adaptation and innovation: Since open source hardware is based on open collaboration, users can adapt designs to their specific needs. This promotes technological diversity and innovation at the local level.

Education and empowerment: Open source hardware can promote education and technical understanding by giving people the opportunity to build, repair, and improve things themselves. This creates skills and strengthens the ability of individuals and communities to participate independently in the energy transition without having to rely on expensive external experts.

Partners

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Julia Kowal, Fachgebiet Elektrische Energiespeichertechnik, TU Berlin (Project Lead)

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sibylle Dieckerhoff, Fachgebiet Leistungselektronik, TU Berlin

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Oliver Paschereit / Dr.-Ing. Navid Nayeri, Fachgebiet Experimentelle Strömungsmechanik, TU Berlin

Prof. Dr. Melanie Jäger-Erben, Fachgebiet Technik- und Umweltsoziologie, BTU Cottbus

Maximilan Voigt, Open Knowledge Foundation Deutschland

Funding

The PODEST project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy with a grant of €1.3 million over three years. It has received start-up funding from the CCC under the project title “Open Battery Platform.”

© Robin Glauser auf Unsplash