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Upholding Safety in Future Energy Systems: The Need for Systemic Risk Assessment

Author

Listed:
  • Ben Riemersma

    (Department of Values of Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Rolf Künneke

    (Department of Values of Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Genserik Reniers

    (Department of Values of Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Aad Correljé

    (Department of Values of Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This paper argues that energy systems are becoming increasingly complex, and illustrates how new types of hazards emerge from an ongoing transition towards renewable energy sources. It shows that the energy sector relies heavily on risk assessment methods that are analytic, and that systemic methods provide important additional insights. A case study of the Dutch gas sector illustrates this by comparing the hazard and operability study (HAZOP, analytic) with the system-theoretic process analysis (STPA, systemic). The contribution is twofold. This paper illustrates how system hazards will remain underestimated by sustained use of only analytic methods, and it highlights the need to study the organization of safety in energy transitions. We conclude that appropriate risk assessment for future energy systems involves both analytic and systemic risk assessments.

Suggested Citation

  • Ben Riemersma & Rolf Künneke & Genserik Reniers & Aad Correljé, 2020. "Upholding Safety in Future Energy Systems: The Need for Systemic Risk Assessment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:24:p:6523-:d:459920
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel Scholten & Rolf Künneke, 2016. "Towards the Comprehensive Design of Energy Infrastructures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Provan, David J. & Woods, David D. & Dekker, Sidney W.A. & Rae, Andrew J., 2020. "Safety II professionals: How resilience engineering can transform safety practice," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    3. Read, G.J.M. & Naweed, A. & Salmon, P.M., 2019. "Complexity on the rails: A systems-based approach to understanding safety management in rail transport," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 188(C), pages 352-365.
    4. Anastasios Plioutsias & Nektarios Karanikas & Maria Mikela Chatzimihailidou, 2018. "Hazard Analysis and Safety Requirements for Small Drone Operations: To What Extent Do Popular Drones Embed Safety?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 38(3), pages 562-584, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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