The Aesthetics of Energy Resilience

Abstract

Energy (electricity) is a central aspect of global sustainability and resilience. Production and consumption of energy has risen continuously over the past 200 years and is expected to double by 2050. Almost all of the discourse on energy production and consumption has been scientific, technological and economically based. This chapter goes beyond conventional technological and economic issues to encompass social, cultural, spatial and aesthetic elements in electric power generation, transmission and consumption. It provides examples of integrating aesthetic concepts into power plants, transmission systems and energy consumption. Benefits and ROI (return on investment) of energy aesthetics are explored. The chapter closes with suggestions for integrated aesthetic design to make energy systems more ecologically and socially sustainable.