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Diversity in theory and practice: A review with application to the evolution of renewable energy generation in the UK

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  • Cooke, Henrietta
  • Keppo, Ilkka
  • Wolf, Steven

Abstract

There is clear consensus on the value of diversity as applied to energy systems, with the concept being a central reference for governments, industry and civil society organizations. Given its importance in policy debates, we have sought to explore the specification and measurement of diversity. We show that although conceptualisation of diversity has developed over recent years, along with increasingly elegant mathematical representations, the concept is, at core, subjective and irreducibly context specific. Subjectivity derives from determination of boundaries and the placement of objects into categories, the acts that make assessment of diversity possible. We illustrate this point with an empirical analysis of the diversity of renewable energy generation in the UK over the past century. By applying a range of different indices and classifications to this dataset, we demonstrate that the ‘diversity story’ told is different in each case. As such we argue that the analysis of diversity must be produced and consumed critically. Attempts to expand, manage, measure or comment upon the diversity of a system, be it an ecosystem, an organization, an economy, or an energy portfolio, demand rigor, reflexivity and, most importantly, transparency.

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  • Cooke, Henrietta & Keppo, Ilkka & Wolf, Steven, 2013. "Diversity in theory and practice: A review with application to the evolution of renewable energy generation in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 88-95.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:61:y:2013:i:c:p:88-95
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.06.089
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Frauke Wiese, 2016. "Resilience Thinking as an Interdisciplinary Guiding Principle for Energy System Transitions," Resources, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-17, September.
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    6. Belén del-Río & Ana Fernández-Sainz & Itziar Martinez de Alegria, 2022. "Assessing the energy trilemma through the diversity of the energy mix: the case of India," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(9), pages 1-26, September.
    7. Subtil Lacerda, Juliana & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M., 2016. "Diversity in solar photovoltaic energy: Implications for innovation and policy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 331-340.
    8. Ranjan, Ashish & Hughes, Larry, 2014. "Energy security and the diversity of energy flows in an energy system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 137-144.
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