@techreport{be45bfb5-0497-4a69-8bd5-a1ecd51480ca,
  abstract     = {{The aim of this Work Package 6 (WP6) report is to describe and analyze insights from Interreg North Sea<br/>WaterWarmth demonstration pilots. Specifically, WP6 examines the pilots' innovation and governance<br/>arrangements that help implementation and scaling of aqua thermal energy (AE) systems in real-world<br/>contexts. The work is therefore primarily based on lessons learned through a mixed methods approach with<br/>the Interreg North Sea WaterWarmth project pilots. To help address the shortage of knowledge on innovation<br/>of AE systems, this report builds on frameworks previously used in WP6 work (see Deliverable 6.1; Hoppe<br/>et al., 2024) where a mapping of theoretical frameworks and a typology to analyze governance of AE and<br/>other heating systems was performed. Particularly, we are applying three of the approaches and theoretical<br/>frameworks from Deliverable 6.1 from various scholarly backgrounds. For example, the multi-level<br/>perspective (MLP) and Strategic Niche Management (SNM) have a background in Science-and Technology<br/>Systems studies, Transition Studies and Evolutionary Economics, while Governance Arrangements (GA) has<br/>its roots in Governance and Policy Studies. As the focus of this report is on bottom-up niche level<br/>developments, we use concepts from SNM involving voicing and shaping of expectations, network formation,<br/>and learning. The pilots are implemented under societal conditions and hence also influenced by the existing<br/>heating regimes. Therefore, we address challenges and tensions, which we assume indicates incumbent<br/>regime influence that often hinders AE innovation development applying the MLP. Finally, we are interested<br/>in what role governance, and more specifically, regulation plays in pilots. This refers to organization authority<br/>and legitimacy, the role of government, and policy instruments like regulations, permit systems, and/ or<br/>subsidies.<br/>For this report, nine pilot projects using an exploratory multi-case study approach were studied. The first<br/>questions for mapping the AE projects were posed to individual pilot leads in an online survey in April 2024.<br/>A workshop with the pilots was then held in Caen, France in May 2024. Following this, semi-structured<br/>interviews were performed with nine key pilot study respondents throughout the autumn of 2024. The results<br/>are assessed for each pilot within this report, and a synthesis analysis is presented followed by conclusions<br/>and policy recommendations. Results show that not all nine pilots have a vision. Four of the pilots indicate<br/>they do not yet have a vision, while five others indicate they. Four pilots are located in municipalities that<br/>operate a municipal heat vision. Networking was observed to occur in various forms across the pilots. In<br/>several projects networking was seen as a way to attract key stakeholders, with projects having internal<br/>guidelines on how to select stakeholders who are considered desireful to join the network. This includes<br/>having frequent and also bilateral meetings with local stakeholders, in two cases leading to the formation of<br/>a local heat coalition. However, networking was also observed as a way to mobilize intra (organization- and<br/>intra-municipal capacity to advocate AE in regional policy making, so as to develop and adapt policy<br/>frameworks and planning schemes. Learning was practiced in different ways among the pilots. First, learning<br/>takes place by involving local stakeholders in projects and benefiting from their experiences and perceptions.<br/>In some of the pilots this even entailed citizen participation and co-creation of plans. In five pilots learning<br/>from past experiences of other and past, similar pilots occurred. Learning was also observed to occur in a<br/>reflective way. For example, by monitoring and reflecting on one’s own project planning and implementation<br/>process. As well as learning from monitoring progress, ongoing data collection, developing a knowledge<br/>base.}},
  author       = {{Mohlakoana, Nthabi and Brogaard, Sara and Ness, Barry and Micallef Nilsson, Annsofie and Hoppe, Thomas}},
  institution  = {{Interreg North Sea}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{04}},
  number       = {{6.2}},
  series       = {{Work Package 6}},
  title        = {{Innovation and Governance arrangements of Aquathermal Energy systems; A multi-case analysis of WaterWarmth pilots}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/243054100/WP6.2.report.Innovation_and_Governance_1.pdf}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}