Short answer
When proposing innovative uses for existing industrial sites, proactively address policy gaps and engage with stakeholders to build consensus and ensure economic feasibility.
- Field
- Innovation & Markets
- Source
- Open MIND (2020)
- Method
- Qualitative research
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Regulatory and policy uncertainty creates significant barriers to the economic viability and expansion of solar photovoltaic projects on unreclaimed oil and gas sites. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Open MIND. Using Qualitative research, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When proposing innovative uses for existing industrial sites, proactively address policy gaps and engage with stakeholders to build consensus and ensure economic feasibility.
Policy Ambiguity Hinders Solar Repurposing of Oil & Gas Brownfields
Regulatory and policy uncertainty creates significant barriers to the economic viability and expansion of solar photovoltaic projects on unreclaimed oil and gas sites.
Open MIND · 2020
Key Findings
- 01Existing institutions offer some support for repurposing a subset of brownfields with micro-generation systems.
- 02Policy and regulatory ambiguity negatively impacts the economic feasibility of distributed generation projects.
- 03Ambiguity limits the selection of suitable brownfield sites for repurposing.
- 04Constraining mindsets within the power generation and oil and gas industries act as a barrier.
Application
Design takeaway
When proposing innovative uses for existing industrial sites, proactively address policy gaps and engage with stakeholders to build consensus and ensure economic feasibility.
How to apply
Before initiating a design project involving the repurposing of industrial brownfields, conduct a thorough review of current and proposed policies, engage with regulatory bodies, and assess industry stakeholder perspectives.
Project actions
- 01When researching a new product or system, investigate the existing regulations and industry norms that might affect its adoption.
- 02Consider how your design can address potential policy or market barriers.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Addresses a timely and relevant issue at the intersection of energy, environment, and policy.
- +Utilizes qualitative methods to explore complex institutional factors.
Limitations
The findings are specific to the context of Alberta's oil and gas industry and may not apply universally.
Reliability & validity
The validity of the findings relies on the depth of the interviews and the thoroughness of the document analysis. Reliability could be enhanced through triangulation of data from a wider range of stakeholders.
Think critically
To what extent can design innovation overcome entrenched institutional barriers, and what strategies are most effective in influencing policy and industry norms?
Design Principles
"Institutional alignment is a prerequisite for the successful diffusion of sustainable design innovations."
This research highlights how institutional frameworks, encompassing both formal policies and informal industry norms, can either accelerate or impede the adoption of innovative sustainable solutions. Designers and engineers need to understand these systemic factors to effectively advocate for and implement projects that leverage existing infrastructure for new, greener purposes.
What This Means for Your Design
It's hard to build solar farms on old oil sites if the rules aren't clear and people in the energy industry aren't used to the idea.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify why certain design choices were made to overcome regulatory hurdles or market resistance.
- 2.Cite this paper when discussing the importance of policy and stakeholder engagement in your design process.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The successful repurposing of industrial brownfields for new applications, such as solar energy generation, is significantly influenced by the prevailing institutional landscape. Research indicates that policy and regulatory ambiguity can create substantial barriers to economic viability and widespread adoption, even when technical feasibility exists. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of existing policies, potential future regulatory changes, and industry stakeholder perspectives is crucial for the successful implementation of such design projects.
Source
Open MIND
Brownfields to Brightfields: Re-Purposing Alberta’s Unreclaimed Oil and Gas Sites for Solar Photovoltaics
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about policy ambiguity hinders solar repurposing of oil & gas brownfields?
- When proposing innovative uses for existing industrial sites, proactively address policy gaps and engage with stakeholders to build consensus and ensure economic feasibility. Evidence: Open MIND (2020).
- Why does "Policy Ambiguity Hinders Solar Repurposing of Oil & Gas Brownfields" matter for design?
- This research highlights how institutional frameworks, encompassing both formal policies and informal industry norms, can either accelerate or impede the adoption of innovative sustainable solutions. Designers and engineers need to understand these systemic factors to effectively advocate for and implement projects that leverage existing infrastructure for new, greener purposes.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When proposing innovative uses for existing industrial sites, proactively address policy gaps and engage with stakeholders to build consensus and ensure economic feasibility.
- What were the main findings?
- Existing institutions offer some support for repurposing a subset of brownfields with micro-generation systems.. Policy and regulatory ambiguity negatively impacts the economic feasibility of distributed generation projects.. Ambiguity limits the selection of suitable brownfield sites for repurposing.. Constraining mindsets within the power generation and oil and gas industries act as a barrier.
- What research method was used?
- Qualitative research.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from Open MIND.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Before initiating a design project involving the repurposing of industrial brownfields, conduct a thorough review of current and proposed policies, engage with regulatory bodies, and assess industry stakeholder perspectives.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is specific to Alberta, Canada, and may not be directly generalizable to other regions with different regulatory frameworks and industrial contexts.