Accelerating transitions? Planning for decarbonisation in local and regional energy systems

IF 6.9 2区经济学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Energy Research & Social Science Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.erss.2024.103875

Helen Poulter , Jess Britton , Imogen Rattle , Ronan Bolton , Jan Webb , Peter Taylor

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Local and regional energy systems are recognised as an important area of the global transition to clean energy, but one which requires novel approaches to energy governance. In this paper, we frame local and regional energy systems as experimental spaces for the introduction of new technologies and processes. We reflect on certain acceleration conditions that are needed to move beyond this experimentation phase to meet transition goals, and in particular the role of user intermediaries to enable these systems. Focussing on this acceleration phase of transitions, we analyse three distinct aspects of planning in the local and regional energy system transition in Great Britain - local government-led energy planning, dispersed industrial site decarbonisation, and business planning for the electricity distribution networks We discuss how a ‘governance gap’ has developed, due to a patchwork approach to energy planning, with roles and responsibilities poorly defined and policy only targeting one user intermediary role. We suggest the lack of coherence across energy planning is limiting the ability of local and regional systems to accelerate to meet the UK's net zero target.

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来源期刊

Energy Research & Social Science ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES-

CiteScore

14.00

自引率

16.40%

发文量

441

审稿时长

55 days

期刊介绍： Energy Research & Social Science (ERSS) is a peer-reviewed international journal that publishes original research and review articles examining the relationship between energy systems and society. ERSS covers a range of topics revolving around the intersection of energy technologies, fuels, and resources on one side and social processes and influences - including communities of energy users, people affected by energy production, social institutions, customs, traditions, behaviors, and policies - on the other. Put another way, ERSS investigates the social system surrounding energy technology and hardware. ERSS is relevant for energy practitioners, researchers interested in the social aspects of energy production or use, and policymakers. Energy Research & Social Science (ERSS) provides an interdisciplinary forum to discuss how social and technical issues related to energy production and consumption interact. Energy production, distribution, and consumption all have both technical and human components, and the latter involves the human causes and consequences of energy-related activities and processes as well as social structures that shape how people interact with energy systems. Energy analysis, therefore, needs to look beyond the dimensions of technology and economics to include these social and human elements.