Values at stake for smart grid systems: The case of the Netherlands

Abstract

Smart grid systems are considered an important enabler in the transition to more sustainable energy systems. However, societal concerns with these emerging technologies reflect core moral and social values such as privacy, security, or justice. In this paper, we conduct a qualitative content analysis to explore the broad range of values underlying arguments used in the public debate on smart grid systems in the Netherlands. Our results show that publicly available documents contain value-laden statements suitable to derive values and their relevance to different societal groups. A wide range of values underlie arguments pro and contra smart energy systems in the Dutch public debate. Our findings provide a basis for including social and moral dimensions into system design and balance value concerns with the goal to achieve a more sustainable energy system both from a political and a technological perspective.