TY - JOUR
T1 - Exploring sustainability transitions in the electricity sector with socio-technical pathways
AU - Verbong, G.P.J.
AU - Geels, F.W.
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - This paper analyses sustainability transitions in the electricity system, using recent theories on socio-technical pathways. The paper describes three possible transition pathways and indicates the implications for (grid) infrastructures. The ‘transformation pathway’ is characterised by a further hybridization of the infrastructure; in the ‘reconfiguration pathway’, internationalisation and scale increase in renewable generation lead to the emergence of a ‘Supergrid’. The ‘de-alignment and re-alignment pathway’ is dominated by distributed generation and a focus on more local infrastructures. We suggest that this pathway, which involves a major restructuring of the electricity system, is less likely than the other two. The de-alignment and re-alignment pathway is therefore more dependent on external developments and/or strong policy interventions. All pathways, however, require major investments in infrastructure and innovative technologies.
Keywords: Sustainability transitions; Socio-technical pathways; Multi-level perspective; Electricity sector; Energy infrastructure
AB - This paper analyses sustainability transitions in the electricity system, using recent theories on socio-technical pathways. The paper describes three possible transition pathways and indicates the implications for (grid) infrastructures. The ‘transformation pathway’ is characterised by a further hybridization of the infrastructure; in the ‘reconfiguration pathway’, internationalisation and scale increase in renewable generation lead to the emergence of a ‘Supergrid’. The ‘de-alignment and re-alignment pathway’ is dominated by distributed generation and a focus on more local infrastructures. We suggest that this pathway, which involves a major restructuring of the electricity system, is less likely than the other two. The de-alignment and re-alignment pathway is therefore more dependent on external developments and/or strong policy interventions. All pathways, however, require major investments in infrastructure and innovative technologies.
Keywords: Sustainability transitions; Socio-technical pathways; Multi-level perspective; Electricity sector; Energy infrastructure
U2 - 10.1016/j.techfore.2010.04.008
DO - 10.1016/j.techfore.2010.04.008
M3 - Article
SN - 0040-1625
VL - 77
SP - 1214
EP - 1221
JO - Technological Forecasting and Social Change
JF - Technological Forecasting and Social Change
IS - 8
ER -
