Martin Weibelzahl

Active consumer participation is widely regarded as a key enabler of the energy transition, with emerging digital technologies creating new opportunities for engagement. However, these technologies only contribute to sustainable development if they are perceived as beneficial by diverse consumer groups. Hence, this paper examines how consumer satisfaction with multidimensional energy features varies across socio‐demographic archetypes. Using a representative survey of 400 consumers in Germany, we identify four consumer archetypes through k ‐means clustering based on income, ownership status, and perceived importance of the energy transition. Applying the Kano model, we assess satisfaction responses to 14 energy features. High‐income, energy‐conscious consumers exhibit the highest satisfaction and classify six energy features as attractive, valuing energy autarky and green electricity, while high‐income, energy‐unconscious consumers are indifferent to most features. These findings highlight the limitations of one‐size‐fits‐all participation strategies and underscore the need for archetype‐sensitive policies to support socially inclusive and sustainable energy systems.

As electricity systems undergo a profound transformation characterized by decentralization and the emergence of millions of new electricity consumers, including electric vehicles and heat pumps, the complexity of modern electricity markets is on the rise. This development presents a unique opportunity for consumers to actively participate in electricity markets. To avoid divergent developments, it is essential to comprehensively consider the interplay between electricity market design and energy justice. This chapter identifies main barriers to consumer-centric electricity markets and outlines a modern cycle of energy justice and consumer-centric electricity markets. Consumer-centric electricity markets, which put consumers at the heart, can be a catalyst for energy justice. Conversely, energy justice and its various forms can help design and successfully implement consumer-centric electricity markets aligned with a low-carbon economy and society. Policymakers must address both policy areas cohesively to avoid the emergence of electricity markets that fail to harness justice potentials. Consumer-centric electricity markets have the potential to drive transformative change, making it imperative to empower consumers in this evolving landscape. Now is the time to give power to consumers.

Climate change and an increasing food demand due to a growing world population pose significant challenges for agriculture. Smallholders play a decisive role in establishing a sustainable and efficient future agricultural system since they already provide up to 80% of food in developing countries. However, they often face severe obstacles, especially in developing countries, hampering effective and efficient cooperation and productivity. Even though organizations in the form of cooperatives could help overcome some of the challenges of facilitating smallholders’ cooperation, they still suffer from structural problems. Further, in many countries, a lack of formal mechanisms to enforce contractual agreements exists. Given such challenges, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) have already proven to provide alternative forms of governance independent of formal contracts or intermediaries. Therefore, this study follows the design science research paradigm to design, develop, and evaluate a decentralized autonomous organization in the agricultural sector that makes use of cooperative principles. This cooperative-oriented DAO is governed by smart contracts and technically enabled by blockchain technology as the underlying infrastructure. Through our developed and evaluated artifact, the AgriDAO, we guide researchers and practitioners on how such a cooperative-oriented DAO could look to solve existing problems related to smallholders and cooperatives. Additionally, we present eight design principles that will guide the development of cooperative-oriented DAOs. Finally, our research shall initiate lively discussion and extensive exploration of this new form of organization.