Renewable and integrated energy system resilience – A review and generic resilience index

Abstract

Energy systems around the world are undergoing structural and contextual changes following a global increase of electricity use, higher sector integration, changing security landscape, and growing share of renewable energy. These developments are changing the dynamics of systems, questioning the resilience of future energy systems. Viewing resilience as a process of preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery, this study performs a systematic literature review over how different phases are covered in research on resilient energy systems with a focus on the integration of renewable energy. This study also reviews grey literature to assess how Sweden and the EU are attempting to build resilience. Findings show a focus on energy security originating in the western world and few studies within the reviewed papers consider and measures all phases of the resilience process. Most academic papers focus on mitigation and an underrepresentation of studies evaluating recovery capabilities. Comparatively, grey literature shows a preparedness for sudden shocks, and less for more pervasive disturbances. The novelty of the review lies in its identification of discrepancies between the stated analysis of resilience aspects and their quantification in the reviewed papers. The study also presents a novel method of quantifying resilience in an energy system by including all phases of the resilience process. This study contributes to SDG 9.a, by showcasing the lack of representation of the global South and proposing and demonstrating a generic index which supports resilient infrastructure development regardless of geography.