Papers by Janet Stephenson
Most parts of the globe are experiencing a rapid growth in micro-generation, particularly photovo... more Most parts of the globe are experiencing a rapid growth in micro-generation, particularly photovoltaics (PV), which, in many nations, this has been stimulated by the introduction of subsidies to support uptake of renewable distributed generation (Groba, Indvik & Jenner, 2011; Schleicher-Tappeser, 2012). Other nations, including New Zealand, have not provided financial subsidies, but the declining costs of PV panels along with other drivers are (more belatedly) resulting in a surge of uptake (Tyagi et al., 2013; Aanesen, Heck & Pinner, 2012). The ability to self-generate electricity means that consumers are interacting with electricity systems in new ways, becoming 'prosumers'-both producing and consuming energy. This change has to potential to be more than simply functional; the self-production of energy could lead to much broader implications, such as how prosumers understand and use energy in their everyday lives, and how this may lead to new forms of collective engagement with other prosumers and with the electricity industry. This report aims to explore how prosumerism is emerging within New Zealand and globally, and identify some of the emerging implications to the electricity industry. New Zealand prosumers are primarily those who are producing energy in the form of electricity from solar or wind resources, at private residences or small community owned facilities, through on-site generators 1. Within New Zealand, the level of most other forms of distributed generation has been relatively low for decades, but uptake of PV has been near-exponential since 2012 (Figure 1). This rise in PV adoption has been largely due to the decreasing costs of purchase and installation, alongside factors such as desire for less dependence on the electricity grid, increased self-resilience, greater control of future outgoings into retirement, and lack of trust in power companies (Ford et al., 2014). As of 31 January 2016 there were 8738 solar installations, of which 8261 were residential. The installed capacity of the residential PV was 29 MW-still low compared to countries like Australia, UK and Germany, but (in contrast to these) purely market-driven PV uptake is not progressing evenly around New Zealand. While the majority of installations of PV are occurring in Auckland and Canterbury (Figure 2), the highest installed capacity per capita (as of December 2015) is in the Tasman and Nelson regions (Figure 3).
When new development threatens a valued landscape it is not just the physical landscape that is b... more When new development threatens a valued landscape it is not just the physical landscape that is being affected, but the collective memories, meanings and identities that the landscape holds. Planning theory and practice currently offer relatively little guidance as to how to address meaning and value, particularly at a landscape scale. Recent literature from a variety of disciplines has stressed the need to develop holistic models of understanding landscape. Particular emphasis has been laid on the absence of integration of disciplinary approaches, and the need to involve communities in defining what is important and distinctive about their own landscapes.
Landscape review, Jul 1, 2007
H ERITAGE LANDSCAPES IS AN INCLUSIVE CONCEPT, as attested by the broad range of disciplines and i... more H ERITAGE LANDSCAPES IS AN INCLUSIVE CONCEPT, as attested by the broad range of disciplines and interest groups attending the Looking Forward to Heritage Landscapes conference that gave rise to this and other papers in this issue of Landscape Review.! The presentations made it clear that the 'heritage value' of a landscape includes its significance to a variety of disciplines (e.g., historians, landscape architects, archaeologists, ecologists), its value to various groups (e.g., heritage agencies, nature conservation organisations), and its value to associated communities (e.g., tangata whenua,2 residents). The concept, thus, has enormous potential to encourage cross-fertilisation between disciplines, and between these and the groups and communities for whom specific landscapes have significance. So far, however, we are still feeling our way as to how to make this inclusive concept a reality. In New Zealand, as elsewhere in the world, there is more written about the potential for an integrated approach than about its realisation. This was borne out by the very different ways in which the heritage value of landscapes was conceived at two earlier conferences held in New Zealand in 2003: one hosted by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust entitled Heritage Landscapes Think Tank and the other hosted by the Environmental Defence Society entitled Reclaiming Our Heritage: The New Zealand Landscape Conference. At the former conference there was general agreement that heritage landscapes were: ... those landscapes, or networks of sites, which deserve special recognition or protection because of their heritage significance to communities, tangata whenua or the nation. They encompass physical structures and changes made to the environment by people, natural landforms modified by human action, the meanings given to places and the stories told about them (Stephenson, 2003, p 2). The latter conference was primarily focused on the heritage value of the indigenous biodiversity and 'naturalness' of landscapes, and was: ... prompted by a growing sense of general unease, ofloss and regret, engendered by the nature, rate and scale of some of the changes that are occurring in coastal and high country landscapes [and) also in places like the Waitakere Ranges (Smale, 2003, p 227).
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, Feb 1, 2018
Globally, renewable generation is growing rapidly, and the next few decades are likely to see man... more Globally, renewable generation is growing rapidly, and the next few decades are likely to see many consumers adopting new grid-connected technologies such as electric vehicles, photovoltaics and energy management systems. However, these 'greener' and smarter' changes could create significant challenges for power quality, safety and other aspects of grid management. We describe how New Zealand is an ideal research environment for combining smart grid capability with integration of high levels of renewables, as it already has around 80% renewable generation, and advanced metering infrastructure in over 62% of households. Challenges for achieving a greener, smarter grid identified in the GREEN Grid research programme include managing the increased variability in supply, especially from the growing use of wind and solar generation; the potential for power quality and congestion issues from high levels of small scale distributed generation; the need for increased frequency keeping and instantaneous reserves as variability increases; and the relatively low level of consumer engagement in demand response which could ideally assist with variability. In this paper we describe the methodology and approach used in the research programme, and note some initial findings that may help address these issues, including the benefits of geographically distributed wind farms to reduce overall wind variability; the development of a hosting capacity tool for small scale distributed generation; a proposal for new ancillary services to help manage (and cover the costs of) increased variability; and the increased use of hot water cylinders for demand response. As the research programme continues to move forward with developing mechanisms for managing a smart green grid, the findings are likely to have widespread relevance to other nations that are seeking high levels of renewable generation.
Energy Efficiency, May 24, 2020
Science for Conservation, 2004
Transportation Research Part D-transport and Environment, Jun 1, 2018
The dominance of automobility is giving rise to unsustainable outcomes, not least of which is its... more The dominance of automobility is giving rise to unsustainable outcomes, not least of which is its contribution to climate change. At the same time, business-as-usual transport systems are entering a period of turbulence as a result of influences such as new and disruptive technologies, intelligent systems, new business models, changing consumer expectations, population growth, suburban sprawl, and national commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An optimal trajectory towards sustainable transport is unlikely to be achieved in a laissez-faire policy environment, and nor is it likely that it will be resolved by any single solution. Rather, it is likely to require carefully crafted interventions that have a good fit with unique national circumstances, and which will work in an integrated way to achieve change consistently throughout the transport system. The research reported in this paper draws on the situated knowledge and experience of New Zealand transport experts to develop a suite of potential interventions for a sustainable transport future for New Zealand. Drawing on the findings of a four-stage Delphi study, which solicited experts' views on interventions that could lead to better outcomes than were being achieved by the current policy environment, this paper concludes that a consistent and integrated commitment is required at all levels of governance and across all parts of the transport system to transition away from automobility and towards sustainable mobility.
Journal of Transport Geography, Oct 1, 2016
In this paper, we examine the factors that contribute to the replication or reduction of automobi... more In this paper, we examine the factors that contribute to the replication or reduction of automobility amongst young adults. Semi-structured interviews conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand, with 51 drivers and non-drivers, aged 18-35 years old, form the empirical material. The findings build upon previous research and extend understandings of how seven explanatory factors; perceptual, value and preference, social, built environment, economic, legal/ policy and technological, work both to continue the current automobility paradigm, and to challenge it by adopting alternative mobilities. We use the Energy Cultures Framework as an analytical tool to explore the ways through which material factors, norms, practices, and external context can replicate or reduce participation in the hegemonic mobility paradigm. This approach offers useful insights into the interactions between what the research participants think, have and do, and how this is resulting in a reduction in automobility norms amongst some younger people. It also identifies and highlights potential opportunities to leverage upon current change trends to assist a systemic transition away from automobility towards a culture of multi-mobilities.
When the Resource Management Act (RMA) was introduced in 1991 it brought in new requirements for ... more When the Resource Management Act (RMA) was introduced in 1991 it brought in new requirements for the consideration of Māori knowledge and values. Nearly 20 years on, consultation with Māori has become a normal part of the resource consent process, and many best practice guidelines are available on how to consult. Less attention has been paid to what a good outcome might look like and how this might be achieved. Our research seeks to identify what makes for good resource consent processes where Māori knowledge and values are given appropriate consideration and inclusion in the process and outcomes. We report here on the first four stages of a 3-year research process. Firstly, a review of formal national guidelines on consultation and incorporating Māori values in decision making. Secondly, analysis of Environment Court decisions and how the court deals with Māori witnesses and their knowledge. Thirdly, interviews with Māori and Pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent) involved in resource consent processes in a variety of roles. Finally, we discuss a case study of a "win-win" situation in which both the hapū (kinship group) and the developer of a significant coastal development are happy with the process and outcomes in a situation where significant cultural values were at stake.
The views expressed in research reports are the outcomes of the independent research, and should ... more The views expressed in research reports are the outcomes of the independent research, and should not be regarded as being the opinion or responsibility of the Ministry of Transport. The material contained in the reports should not be construed in any way as policy adopted by the Ministry of Transport or indeed any agency of the NZ Government. The reports may, however, be used by NZ Government agencies as a reference in the development of policy. While research reports are believed to be correct at the time of their preparation, the Ministry of Transport and agents involved in their preparation and publication do not accept any liability for use of the research. People using the research, whether directly or indirectly, should apply and rely on their own skill and judgement. They should not rely on the contents of the research reports in isolation from other sources of advice and information. If necessary, they should seek appropriate legal or other expert advice.
Although demand side management as a concept is broadly accepted as a key mechanism for levelling... more Although demand side management as a concept is broadly accepted as a key mechanism for levelling peaks in residential electricity demand, the details of optimal implementation are far from determined. While some direct benefits can be gained through smart control systems, the role of behaviour change is yet to be fully understood. This paper presents a comparative study of monitored household electricity demand data of electric hot water cylinders and household occupants' self-reported activities related to use of hot water. We find value and complementarity in both approaches; one does not replace the other when both technical and human interactions need to be understood.
Many of New Zealand's urban settlements are likely to be impacted by climate-induced hazards such... more Many of New Zealand's urban settlements are likely to be impacted by climate-induced hazards such as coastal erosion, flooding and rising groundwater levels. Affected communities will face physical, social, financial and emotional challenges. To ensure successful adaptation, local authorities will need to adopt new approaches to engagement with communities that are exposed to these hazards. This summary forms part of the research f indings of the Climate-Adaptive Communities project of the Deep South National Science Challenge. We have drawn from the stories and insights shared with the research team by community members, iwi members and council staff. Our warm thanks to you all / nga mihi mahana ki a koutou. Why should councils engage with communities? • Climate change will affect communities in the short term (e.g. more frequent and more severe storms) as well as the long term (e.g. sea level rise leading to homes becoming uninsurable and/or unliveable). https://www.deepsouthchallenge.co.nz/projects/climateadaptation-vulnerability-and-community-well-being Climate-Adaptive Communities research team:
Writing the report also provided an opportunity to capture the community's journey over the past ... more Writing the report also provided an opportunity to capture the community's journey over the past five years, over which time the idea of a resilient community has grown from a small seed to a well-established sapling. This report, and the activities it outlines, would not have been possible without significant support from individuals, organisations and funding bodies. We acknowledge the generous funding from EECA, DIA Lotteries, Hikurangi Foundation and the Otago Community Trust, as well as countless hours of effort from those mentioned below. The lead authors were Scott Willis, project manager at the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust, independent planner Ros Day, and Dr Janet Stephenson from the Centre for Sustainability at Otago University. Senior planning consultant Andrew Henderson, at Boulder Planning (Otago) Ltd, provided review of key sections of the report. Intern Seth Gorrie from the Centre for Sustainability is author of a pre-feasibility report which provided valuable insights for this report. Staff at EECA, and particularly Hamish Trolove, gave invaluable support. Community officer Taryn Lane and executive officer Jack Gilding, both of Hepburn Wind (Australia), and Mary Dougherty, a director at Embark (Australia), were generous with information about the Hepburn experience. Past and present BRCT trustees and officers
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Papers by Janet Stephenson
The world faces a seemingly impossible hurdle – to radically alter long-established social, economic and technological systems in order to live within the biophysical limits of the globe, while ensuring a just and enduring transition. The overarching premise of this book is that this cannot be achieved without widespread cultural change. ‘We need a change in culture’ is often used rhetorically, but what does this really mean?
Stephenson starts by exploring culture’s elusiveness, describing its divergent interpretations before identifying core features of culture that are common across most definitions. These characteristics form the core of the cultures framework, an extensively tested approach to studying the links between culture and sustainability outcomes. The framework makes culture an accessible concept which can be analytically applied to almost any sustainability problem. Using many examples from around the world, Stephenson illustrates how cultural stability, cultural flexibility and cultural transformation all have a part to play in the sustainability transition. She guides the reader in the use of the cultures framework for policy development and to underpin research undertaken by individuals or by multi-disciplinary teams.
Clearly and engagingly written, Culture and Sustainability is essential reading for academics, students, policy makers and indeed anyone interested in a sustainable future.