Energy communities of repair in remote infrastructures: a study of Puerto Edén in the Chilean Patagonia

Authors

  • Gloria Baigorrotegui PhD in Philosophy of Science and Technology, Associate Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8381-5728
  • Dominique González Master’s degree in Social Science, Research Fellow, Fondecyt 1200076 Project, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0055-8114
  • Cristian Parker Gumucio PhD in Sociology, Titular Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8041-9642

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v14n3.2023.50672

Keywords:

Energy Communities, Maintenance and Repair Studies, Remote Infrastructures, Science and Technology Studies, Puerto Edén

Abstract

Energy communities contribute to the justice of energy transition efforts to enhance the democratisation of contemporary energy policies. We ask what kind of circumstances and practices facilitate the continuity of energy access in remote communities with lagging infrastructures. To answer this question, we propose an approach to researching energy communities of repair based on a study of Puerto Edén, a remote island in the Chilean Patagonia. Since 2020, research has been carried out in this locality using an ethnographic and interactive methodology from a Science and Technology Studies (STS) perspective through systematic fieldwork. The results demonstrate the challenges these communities face as they address deficiencies in governance, providing provisional and definitive solutions. Abandonment of renewable infrastructure could be avoided if historic energy repair communities in remote locations are identified and involved in just energy transition programs.

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Author Biographies

Gloria Baigorrotegui, PhD in Philosophy of Science and Technology, Associate Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile

PhD in Philosophy of Science and Technology, Associate Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile

Dominique González, Master’s degree in Social Science, Research Fellow, Fondecyt 1200076 Project, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile

Master’s degree in Social Science, Research Fellow, Fondecyt 1200076 Project, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile

Cristian Parker Gumucio, PhD in Sociology, Titular Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile

PhD in Sociology, Titular Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of Santiago de Chile (Usach), Santiago, Chile

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Published

2023-12-11

How to Cite

Baigorrotegui, G., González, D., & Gumucio, C. P. (2023). Energy communities of repair in remote infrastructures: a study of Puerto Edén in the Chilean Patagonia. Sustainability in Debate, 14(3), 122–139. https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v14n3.2023.50672