Sharing energy renovations know-how through citizen–professional knowledge networks

Journal Article

Accelerating energy-efficient renovations requires deeper understandings of how know-how is developed and shared. This paper, therefore, investigated the role of experimental, locality-specific knowledge networks in sharing renovation know-how.

Knowledge networks have been suggested as a tool for collective, experiential, context-based learning, but have rarely been empirically investigated. Four knowledge networks (in Lithuania, Hungary, Spain and Ireland) were studied in partnership with municipalities and not-for-profit organisations.

These networks brought together 140 citizens and professionals across 50 events, including meetings, workshops and hands-on site visits. Interviews with network members identified that four important types of know-how were shared:

1. technical know-how;
2. administrative/financial know-how;
3. know-how for managing social relationships;
4. and know-how about renovation actors.

These findings challenge the narrow, technical framings of renovation knowledge that dominate research and policy by highlighting social dimensions of renovation know-how. Three lessons for effective sharing and development of know-how are the need to: bring together citizens and professionals; ensure learning is hands-on and situated; and create inclusive spaces. Knowledge networks offer a promising approach to accelerating efficient renovations.

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