Democratisation of the SmartGrid and the active participation of prosumers

We observe that SmartGrids are an example of a crossover point where cyber-physical systems meet socio-technical systems. However, control of this crossover point, in the form of a peer-to-peer platform, is a contentious issue. We argue that if the platform is ‘closed’ it can lead to an asymmetry in the distribution of power and information that can inhibit successful collective action. Instead, an ‘open’ platform is required: this entails the ‘democratisation’ of the SmartGrid by unbundling the SmartMeter and enabling a prosumer-centric ICT layer. This ICT layer can support, for example, collective action through the self-management and distribution of both data and energy, various forms of self-organisation and governance, and the promotion and preservation of values. This argument generalises to other socio-technical/cyber-physical systems, for example for architecture, urban mobility and other infrastructure management. Therefore we conclude that to encourage active participation of citizens in different roles, in order to help communities address collective action problems or self-organise local arrangements, then we need open, participatory platforms which represent values congruently, distribute power fairly, and manage knowledge transparently.