Citizen Engagement for Social and Technological Innovation in Sustainable Energy Systems

Achieving meaningful citizen engagement in energy innovation is crucial for a successful energy transition, but realizing high levels of participation remains a challenge. Successful initiatives characterized by high levels of participation—according to Arnstein's ladder—are presented and analyzed. In these cases, citizens play a key role in driving technological and social innovations within the energy sector over several decades. From the development of technical standards to the evaluation of energy yield, the assessment of solar module aging, the creation of in situ repair procedures, or the deployment of solar vehicles, among other examples, the initiatives studied demonstrate how citizens can meaningfully engage with researchers in the successful development of technical innovations. Regarding the deployment of social innovations, 34 energy communities are analyzed to assess engagement levels. The findings reveal a gap—similar to that observed in technical innovations—between current practices and genuine citizen‐led innovation. While many communities fall short of full citizen control, inspiring examples that demonstrate pathways toward deeper and more impactful citizen participation are showcased. By highlighting these successful cases, this study underscores the transformative potential of citizen engagement in accelerating the sustainable energy transition and provides actionable insights for fostering citizen‐driven innovation in the energy sector.