Rural, Regional, and Remote Energy Transformations: An Energy Quadrilemma Lens

About the Book

This timely book analyses energy transformations and their regulation in rural, regional and remote geographies. Leading experts apply the concept of the energy quadrilemma, namely security, equity, sustainability, and justice, to the governance of developing technologies and energy transitions.

Providing multidisciplinary insights and analysis of decarbonisation within complex landscapes, the contributing authors discuss case studies in non-urban geographies across Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America, and the Arctic. The book argues that, although rural and remote areas will host significant decarbonisation activities and infrastructure, regulation and policy often overlooks their unique opportunities and challenges for energy transformations. Chapters propose critical recommendations for policy and regulatory reform, acknowledging the distinct characteristics of these frontier areas and advocating for their increased participation. The book explores new research agendas informed by socio-legal and policy perspectives to ensure stakeholders in these regions receive sustained and enduring benefits.

Combining contributions from an impressive range of leading geographically diverse scholars, this book is an essential resource for researchers and students of environmental law, energy policy, development studies and sustainable development. Practitioners of energy law and energy transitions will likewise benefit from its pragmatic policy recommendations.

Table of Contents:
Contents PART I CREATING ENERGY SECURITY IN RURAL, REGIONAL, AND REMOTE AREAS 1 Introduction – the need for rural, regional, and remote energy transformations: adopting an energy quadrilemma lens 2 Madeline Taylor 2 Regulating low-carbon technologies in rural areas in the European Union 20 Matteo Fermeglia and Alberto Quintavalla 3 Legal issues in the development of deep geothermal energy production in Scotland 43 John Paterson 4 Creating energy security in import-dependent energy economies: energy communities in Japan 67 Maciej M. Sokołowski PART II ASSURING EQUITY AND ACCESS IN RURAL, REGIONAL, AND REMOTE AREAS 5 ‘Planning’ for renewable energy zones and considering local interests: a comparative analysis 90 Anne Kallies 6 The renewable energy burden in Hungary’s carbon-intensive regions: a case study of energy poverty and low-quality fuels 116 Michael Carnegie LaBelle, Tekla Szép, and Géza Tóth 7 Negotiating rural energy transitions in the US 153 Hannah Wiseman, Kaitlyn Spangler, Jennifer Baka, and Candace Boyle PART III ACHIEVING ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY IN RURAL, REGIONAL, AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES 8 Rural energy transitions and agricultural synergies: exploring agrivoltaics social innovations 179 Madeline Taylor 9 Energy, emissions, abatement, and mitigation in the Arctic 204 Dr Tina Soliman Hunter 10 Social license to operate in Colombia and local development: opportunities and challenges in the era of critical minerals 239 Milton Fernando Montoya Pardo and Manuel José Ocampo Hernández PART IV ACHIEVING ENERGY JUSTICE IN RURAL, REGIONAL, AND REMOTE COMMUNITIES 11 Legal aspects of rural energy transitions in Germany and the Netherlands: an energy justice perspective 266 Ruven Fleming and Ceciel Nieuwenhout 12 A just energy transition for the ‘Emptied Spain’ 289 Romain Mauger and Paola Villavicencio-Calzadilla 13 Brine lithium development in rural and regional areas of Alberta, Canada through the lens of energy justice 313 Allan Ingelson and Isabella Vegso 14 Conclusion: the future of rural, regional, and remote energy transformations 339 Madeline Taylor

About the Author :
Edited by Madeline Taylor, Associate Professor and Australian Research Council Early Career Industry Fellow, Macquarie Law School and Co-Stream Lead, Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre, Macquarie University, Australia

Review :
‘Dr Madeline Taylor focuses on the critical issue relating to the smooth and fair transition to a new energy system making sure rural, regional engagement is done right and benefits are equitably shared. We need to keep talking about and progressing work in this space and this text is an important contribution to the conversation. The discussions and issues raised provide an excellent insight into a much needed reminder ‑up call for government, industry and policymakers. I recommend it for anyone interested in the socio-economic challenges faced by the energy transition.’ ‘This compilation of international case studies presenting different approaches to the energy transition in regional communities is an important synthesis of the challenges facing rural areas as society more broadly deals with climate change. Madeline Taylor has made an important contribution to our understanding of these issues through this book.’ ‘This book edited by Dr Madeline Taylor focuses on a critical, yet almost entirely overlooked area of energy transition: rural, regional and remote areas. This alone makes the book an important contribution to the existing literature. It is a “must read” for anyone interested in the socio-legal challenges faced by the energy transition.’ ‘Rural, Regional, and Remote Energy Transformations challenges us to rethink the spatial dimensions of the energy transition. By examining how energy security, equity, sustainability, and justice shape these away‑from‑urban contexts, it brings the conversation to where changes truly happen. Its findings are informative, enriching, and at times surprising - a needed wake‑up call for researchers, policymakers, and NGOs.’