The shift towards more sustainable energy systems representsthe core of the socio-ecological transition narrative and perhapsthe most complex element to address because it would notonly require an overall reconception of the material and digitalinfrastructure, but also the institutional settings and the socialpractices that permeate it. Nonetheless, energy systems remainhighly centralized, with production models powered by economicand political relationships motivated by profit maximization andfossil interests (Siamanta 2017; Dunlap 2023), although citizensseem to find greater space in the energy system through re -newable energy diffusion, but typically driven by profit-basedmotivations (Giotitsas et al. 2022). To solve the energy conun -drum, we therefore need a radical reconceptualization of howwe conceptualize energy production (Pirani 2021). The objectiveis to connect innovation policy to social challenges through theinvolvement of various actors and strategies and the incorpora -tion of equity and justice principles (Sciullo et al. 2022). Butwhile much attention has been paid to proposing solutions basedon technical innovation and efficiency, little attention has beenaddressed to which dynamics and social drivers push groups ofcitizens to act collectively in the energy system and under whichconditions their action incorporates a transformative character.