The irreversible effects of climate change have led to a significant increase in citizen-led and initiated local energy cooperatives. Playing a crucial role in the shift to renewable energy, these cooperatives are evolving from informal community groups to structured organisations. Their success relies on co-creation, a collaborative process in which stakeholders and citizens join forces to improve efficient decision-making, build trust and promote shared responsibility. This leads to creating effective solutions and achieving collective goals across projects and sectors.

This thesis examines the role of co-creation in local energy cooperatives and highlights its importance in promoting sustainable energy practices and empowering citizens. It focuses on investigating co-creation within the energy cooperatives of the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague (MRDH) and connects theoretical concepts with practical applications in energy transition. The central research question is: ”In what ways does co-creation manifest within local energy cooperatives in the Metropolitan Region Rotterdam The Hague?”

A literature review was conducted using the PRISMA method and snowball technique to understand the academic perspectives of co-creation, especially in energy transition. This helped identify the scope of the thesis and gaps in current academic knowledge. The thesis contains two theoretical frameworks. The first, from Puerari et al. (2018), examines the dynamics of co-creation in local communities and identifies five key elements: intended purpose, process type, ownership, motivations and incentives, and spaces and places. This research applied these elements to understand co-creation in MRDH’s local energy cooperatives through qualitative case study analysis. The analysis reveals the cooperatives’ commitment to fossil-free energy and their encouragement of citizen participation through a mix of formal and informal methods, addressing different motivations and adopting a shared ownership model to promote community involvement.

The second framework consists of six criteria that define co-creation activities. These criteria are developed in this study, and derived from academic literature. These criteria include shared goals, active participation, equality and inclusiveness, iterative processes, value creation and mutual learning. Subsequently, the study used these criteria to evaluate the activities of energy cooperatives and assess their alignment with the concept of co-creation. Through interviews and observations, four key cooperative activities were identified: advisory services, information generation, renewable energy production and stakeholder engagement. While these activities meet the criteria for co-creation, there are opportunities for improvement in almost all areas of co-creation to fully realise the potential of these activities.

The findings suggest that cooperatives should organise regular stakeholder discussions, introduce paid functions, make more effective use of physical spaces, promote diversity and develop digital platforms for knowledge sharing. Policymakers can support these cooperatives by recognising their contributions, encouraging professional development and encouraging flexibility and innovation. Future research recommendations address the limitations of this study such as regional focus, time constraints and possible subjectivity of the qualitative method. Suggestions include expanding the geographical scope, involving a wider range of stakeholders, using mixed methods and testing the recommended strategies in different contexts.

In summary, this research is an important step in understanding co-creation manifestation within local energy cooperatives. It suggests strategies through which these cooperatives, in collaboration with policymakers, can effectively contribute to environmental sustainability and climate change mitigation.

Introduction

As a result of the Paris Agreement, the Netherlands committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 49\% compared to 1990 levels. A significant challenge in achieving this goal lies in the heating sector, which is heavily dependent on natural gas and must transition to sustainable alternatives. However, uncertainties around the viability of sustainable heat technologies, unprofitable business cases and low public trust in existing institutions pose challenges to this transition. A promising development is the rise of local communities establishing self-organized sustainable heat initiatives, known as Thermal Energy Communities (TECs), which emphasize community control. However, after a strong increase in the number of TEC-led projects in 2018, the number of projects has stagnated in 2021 and 2022 and declined since early 2023. Several factors contribute to this decline, including knowledge gaps within TECs regarding their professionalization, inexperience in civil-public collaborations between TECs and municipalities, and a misalignment between the current institutional set-up in the Netherlands and the desire for local ownership of collective heat systems.

Research Objective and Question

To fully integrate TECs in the Dutch heat transition, four preconditions including \textit{knowledge}, \textit{support}, \textit{access to capital}, and \textit{a license to operate} are to be developed. This thesis focuses on the \textit{knowledge} and supports \textit{preconditions}, aiming to understand how TECs manage the value controversies inherent to local energy projects by initiating social learning to overcome them. To guide

"How have value controversies in the professionalisation of TECs with complete control and ownership in the Netherlands initiated social learning?"

Gaining a better understanding of this dynamic will contribute to the self-actualisation capacity of TECs, increasing the number that become operational and enabling further research into their development.

Research Approach and Methods

To guide the research a conceptual framework is constructed combining the Value Laden Institutional Analysis and Development (VLIAD) framework by Milchram et al. (2019) with Schram et al.'s (2024) value-based approach. The constructed conceptual model structures the analysis of the relation between value controversies and social learning while accounting for the context specificity inherent in energy projects. The research takes a qualitative comparative case study approach and starts with analyzing how exogenous variables influence decision-making processes, using document analysis of TEC reports and demographic data. Consequently, a taxonomy of values present in TEC projects is constructed and dynamics behind how value controversies triggering social learning are explored, drawing on media articles, community meetings, and surveys. The analysis uses Atlas.ti as an analysis tool. Finally, expert interviews were conducted to validate and refine findings across the cases.

Key Findings and Conclusion

The study found that value controversies initiate social learning by highlighting mismatches between TEC decision-making structures and community expectations, as well as governmental regulations.

Single-loop learning occurs when TECs address immediate issues without challenging underlying assumptions, often due to regulatory constraints. Double-loop learning arises from community engagement and a flexible attitude towards the existing institutional framework by the project group. This was emphasised by Warm Heeg's ongoing community communication and responsiveness. Projects like Energiek Nagele, with limited community involvement, miss out on social learning opportunities, due to insufficient community support.

In conclusion, TECs that remain flexible and prioritise community engagement over fast project development leverage the opportunities for double-loop learning presented through value controversies, enhancing their adaptability and develop organisational resilience.

Recommendations

This thesis finds that during the development of TECs, they should focus on remaining flexible during the early project stages, avoiding establishing rigid rules and regulations. Additionally, TECs should prioritise frequent communication with residents, emphasizing broader environmental benefits at the start of the project while gradually shifting towards more personal benefits as the project progresses. Further research should further investigate the relationships between energy poverty and social capital on the ability of TECs to adapt to encountered controversies. Additionally, further examining the impulses stemming from specific values of the population involved in the project, seems an interesting and important avenue as it impacts creating and maintaining support of the community which is identified as the most important factor for success in this thesis.

The purpose of this report is to investigate how Dutch thermal energy communities can successfully transition from grassroots initiatives to formal thermal energy organisations. The study explores the knowledge and values required by community boards to achieve this transformation, focussing on how they address internal knowledge gaps and collaborate with external stakeholders. Key areas of inquiry include the types of knowledge needed, how the board ensures community members understand the social, environmental, and economic impacts of thermal energy, and the role of partnerships in advancing these initiatives. The findings aim to provide insights that can support scalable implementations in the Netherlands and Europe.

The theoretical framework of this report is based on the 3C model, which builds on Amartya Sen’s capability approach. This model emphasises three key capabilities: conscientiality, conciliation, and collaboration, which are necessary for the successful transition of thermal energy community initiatives into formal organisations. Conscientiousness involves raising critical awareness within communities about their energy needs and environmental impacts. Conciliation focusses on the building of consensus among stakeholders, while collaboration emphasises partnerships with ex- ternal actors, such as municipalities and energy companies, to access resources and expertise.
The research methodology combines a qualitative approach with thematic analysis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key members of five energy cooperatives to gather insights into community dynamics, knowledge sharing and values. These interviews were supported by an anal- ysis of existing literature and two additional interviews. The data collected was analysed using a systematic coding process, grouped into themes aligned with the research questions and the the- oretical framework to identify patterns and insights related to the development of thermal energy communities. This methodology ensures both reliability and validity in capturing the challenges and successes of grassroots energy initiatives.

The key findings of the report highlight several important aspects of thermal energy initiatives in the Netherlands. First, these initiatives require diverse knowledge, including financial, technical, and organisational expertise, which can be sourced both locally and externally. Partnerships with pro- fessional entities are crucial to fill knowledge gaps, especially in the legal, technical, and financial areas. Community involvement is essential for the success of these initiatives. Trust and familiarity within the community are critical to convincing residents to adopt sustainable heating solutions, es- pecially when costs are comparable to traditional heating options. Personal interactions, such as one-on-one conversations, were found to be the most effective way of sharing information and gain- ing community trust. Collaboration with external stakeholders, especially local governments, is also vital. The success of these initiatives often hinges on their relationship with the local government, which is involved in the funding, approvals, and overall support of the project. However, challenges such as differing work paces and ownership questions can slowly progress. These insights provide a clear understanding of the dynamics and hurdles faced by thermal energy communities in the Netherlands.

The study found that knowledge and trust are critical factors in the success of thermal energy com- munities transitioning to formal organisations. Boards rely on a mix of local expertise and external consulting for specialised knowledge, with local involvement fostering trust among residents. Per- sonal involvement, such as door-to-door communication, is essential to gain support. In addition, collaboration with external partners, particularly local governments, plays a key role in the practical implementation of projects. Challenges such as ownership and the varied cooperation of municipali- ties have emerged as significant hurdles. The study suggests that the ability of the board to manage knowledge, build trust, and collaborate effectively determines the success of these initiatives.

Offshore wind farms (OWF) are located in countries with densely populated coasts with numerous marine environment users, creating difficulties in organizing marine space. Fishing activities are among the most affected by offshore wind development (OWD). This situation is leading to problems and conflicts between stakeholders. In addition, spatial limitations such as exclusion zones are expected to be placed on numerous ongoing activities with increasing claims of competing uses.
The development of OWF involves multiple actors who are commonly organized in networks rather than a hierarchy, so cooperation between stakeholders is needed to find a better location for OWF and to minimize conflict among actors. Multi-use activities in OWD are a challenge and an opportunity to coordinate and agree among different actors in the future of offshore wind (OW).
Multi-use (MU) policies have yet to be developed enough, and they are in their first stages on the East Coast of the USA. Therefore, this thesis will analyze the perspectives, primary interests, and interdependences of the key stakeholders involved in OWD and how multi-use can be an integral part of the early stages of the permitting process to develop OW.
The thesis explores the integration of MU activities in OWD in RI, USA, and the benefits it can bring. The report uses actor models and comparative cognitive mapping (CCM) as a model to analyze stakeholder perspectives and identify potential conflicts and synergies in OWD.
Several strategies are suggested for addressing conflicts in OWD, including promoting collaboration and guidance that aligns with the goals of state agencies and other stakeholders, streamlining policies that support processes such as interconnection, grid integration of OWD, and permitting and policies. Moreover, it is essential to continue with assessments and research, engage the public and other stakeholders, and educate the general public about the benefits and risks associated with offshore wind energy (OWE) and the potential activities of MU.
Overall, the thesis emphasizes the importance of stakeholder collaboration and an integrated approach to governance and power distribution in addressing conflicts and promoting sustainable OWD in Rhode Island and the United States. These actions enable the sustainability and responsibility of this new industry operating in federal waters, enhancing coastal economies, minimizing conflicts, and maintaining ocean ecosystem services.
The findings of this thesis can aid in decision-making for issues in OWD and provide suggestions for developing new policies that can be integrated into the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) for MU sites, allowing various users to utilize marine space sustainably.

One of the biggest current challenges for Earth and humanity is climate change. To lower the impact of already existing effects and decrease potential future effects of rising temperatures, countries have decided on actions with the goal of keeping the temperature rise no higher than 1.5°C. One part of those actions is a transition in the energy system from polluting fossil fuels to renewable energy carriers, such as wind, solar, or hydropower.
In the Netherlands, hydropower is clearly lagging behind compared to other European coun- tries, for various reasons. Some pioneering companies are still trying to utilize the potential of hydropower they see in the large water system in the Netherlands. However, they are struggling to progress and deploy their solutions, as happened at the Bosscherveld project in the south of the Netherlands, Maastricht. The companies involved there claimed that stakeholder processes were the main causes for barriers that stalled project advancements.
Within energy transition projects, stakeholder management often causes problems, and the ac- tual factors that make an actor oppose or stall a project are multifaceted and hard to grasp. Additionally, there is a lack of tools and methods for a company working on technologies in this field to gain a thorough understanding of their stakeholders and translate that understanding into concrete strategic decisions on how to behave in such a project. With this research it was attempted to identify the most important stakeholder-related factors for a company to consider when working within an energy transition based project. This should add managerial guidance as well as the ability to assess the status of a project. For a company already working on the project or that joins it, they can estimate the condition the project is in and see what is missing for its success, improving the overall certainty for potential revenues.
With a mixed-framework approach consisting of the definition of the main structural compo- nents and policies of the technology innovation system (TIS) surrounding the SHP, a classic stakeholder analysis using a power-interest-grid, and semi-structured interviews to create an expert model for the small-scale hydropower (SHP) project has been applied. The first two areas were mainly used to get an understanding of the technology’s surrounding market and to make assumptions regarding the roles involved in the project. The interviews were aimed to fully understand the project’s processes and each stakeholder’s perceptions on barriers in those processes, so that an ideal process and the stakeholders’ views on most important factors for such a project could be derived.
With this approach it was possible to identify 25 stakeholder-related factors that are important to consider for a company working on such a project, as well as understanding their interconnec- tions and reasons for why they are important. The factors then could be classified into themes
covering Motivation, Purpose, Effective Teamwork, Investment, Entrepreneurial Activities, Base of Collaboration, and Macro-Environment and clustered into areas that build the Foundation of the Venture the factors that are Supporting Collaboration, and the ones that influ- ence and define the Stakeholder Interest. The first area consists of factors, that need to be present at the beginning of the project or need to be established within the starting phase such as resources, a business model, and trust. The factors to support the collaboration are fostering continuous interaction and general rules for how it should be worked together, such as planning and ownership. The factors of stakeholder interest, achieve a higher resolution of how a stakeholder’s interest is formed, and what should be looked at during the stakeholder analysis, to understand the actors positioning within and towards the project, like a stakeholder’s drive, their personal vision, or simply what they can gain from the project. This must be done on a continuous bases, since a stakeholder’s motivation and gains can change due to unforeseeable events or a change in for instance a country’s policy.
Therefore, it could be seen that not one or a few instances or factors could be identified that resulted in the halt of the project, but a variety of aspects combined hampered its progress.
Furthermore, it has been pointed out that the previously identified factors are only partly ad- dressed by an adapted TIS framework by Ortt and Kamp (2022), which has been applied at the end of the research, due to its claim that it had an improved managerial perspective for companies working in a niche environment, trying to bring their technology to a wide market diffusion.
The possibility of generalizing the conclusions regarding the crucial factors regarding stakeholder participation for a company working on an SHP project in the Netherlands are limited due to the specificity of the project and the limited number of stakeholders and perspectives that could be gathered. Therefore, it is suggested to investigate additional hydropower projects in the Netherlands, compare them with the Bosscherveld case, and see whether the concluded factors can capture the dynamics there as well or if further refinements are necessary.