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Smart local energy systems (SLES): A framework for exploring transition, context, and impacts

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  • Ford, Rebecca
  • Maidment, Chris
  • Vigurs, Carol
  • Fell, Michael J.
  • Morris, Madeleine

Abstract

Energy systems globally are becoming increasingly decentralised; experiencing new types of loads; incorporating digital or “smart” technologies; and seeing the demand side engage in new ways. These changes impact on the management and regulation of future energy systems and question how they will support a socially equitable, acceptable, net-zero transition. This paper couples a meta-narrative literature review with expert interviews to explore how socio-technical regimes associated with centralised systems of provision (i.e. the prevailing paradigm in many countries around the world) differ to those of smart local energy systems (SLES). Findings show how SLES regimes incorporate niche technologies, business models and governance structures to enable new forms of localised operation and optimisation (e.g. automated network management across energy vectors), smarter decision making and planning, by new actors (e.g. local authorities, other local stakeholders), and engaging users in new ways. Through this they are expected to deliver on a wide range of outcomes, both within the SLES boundary and to the wider system. However, there may be trade-offs between outcomes due to pressures for change originating from competing actors (e.g. landscape vs. incumbents in the regime); understanding the mapping between different outcomes, SLES elements and their interconnections will be key to unlocking wider benefits.

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  • Ford, Rebecca & Maidment, Chris & Vigurs, Carol & Fell, Michael J. & Morris, Madeleine, 2021. "Smart local energy systems (SLES): A framework for exploring transition, context, and impacts," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:166:y:2021:i:c:s0040162521000445
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120612
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    Cited by:

    1. Carol Vigurs & Chris Maidment & Michael Fell & David Shipworth, 2021. "Customer Privacy Concerns as a Barrier to Sharing Data about Energy Use in Smart Local Energy Systems: A Rapid Realist Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-33, February.
    2. Medina-Molina, Cayetano & Pérez-Macías, Noemí & Fernández-Fernádez, José Luis, 2023. "The use of micromobility in different contexts. An explanation through the multilevel perspective and QCA," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    3. Jing, Rui & Hua, Weiqi & Lin, Jian & Lin, Jianyi & Zhao, Yingru & Zhou, Yue & Wu, Jianzhong, 2022. "Cost-efficient decarbonization of local energy systems by whole-system based design optimization," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    4. Schaefer, Jones Luís & Mairesse Siluk, Julio Cezar & Stefan de Carvalho, Patrícia & Maria de Miranda Mota, Caroline & Pinheiro, José Renes & Nuno da Silva Faria, Pedro & Gouvea da Costa, Sergio Eduard, 2023. "A framework for diagnosis and management of development and implementation of cloud-based energy communities - Energy cloud communities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    5. Fuentes González, Fabián & Webb, Janette & Sharmina, Maria & Hannon, Matthew & Braunholtz-Speight, Timothy & Pappas, Dimitrios, 2022. "Local energy businesses in the United Kingdom: Clusters and localism determinants based on financial ratios," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PB).
    6. Trahan, Ryan Thomas & Hess, David J., 2022. "Will power be local? The role of local power organizations in energy transition acceleration," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    7. Patrycjusz Zarębski & Dominik Katarzyński, 2023. "A Theoretical Framework for a Local Energy Innovation System Based on the Renewable Energy Case of Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-24, April.
    8. Soutar, Iain & Devine-Wright, Patrick & Rohse, Melanie & Walker, Chad & Gooding, Luke & Devine-Wright, Hannah & Kay, Imogen, 2022. "Constructing practices of engagement with users and communities: Comparing emergent state-led smart local energy systems," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    9. Dawn Nafus & Eve M. Schooler & Karly Ann Burch, 2021. "Carbon-Responsive Computing: Changing the Nexus between Energy and Computing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-26, October.
    10. Sindhwani, Rahul & Singh, Punj Lata & Behl, Abhishek & Afridi, Mohd. Shayan & Sammanit, Debaroti & Tiwari, Aviral Kumar, 2022. "Modeling the critical success factors of implementing net zero emission (NZE) and promoting resilience and social value creation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    11. Razmjoo, Armin & Mirjalili, Seyedali & Aliehyaei, Mehdi & Østergaard, Poul Alberg & Ahmadi, Abolfazl & Majidi Nezhad, Meysam, 2022. "Development of smart energy systems for communities: technologies, policies and applications," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C).
    12. Couraud, Benoit & Andoni, Merlinda & Robu, Valentin & Norbu, Sonam & Chen, Si & Flynn, David, 2023. "Responsive FLEXibility: A smart local energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    13. Arueyingho, Oritsetimeyin & Chitchyan, Ruzanna & Bird, Caroline, 2023. "Career progression and skills in Smart Local Energy Systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).

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