IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v14y2022i18p11119-d907625.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Towards a Theory of Local Energy Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Hansjörg Drewello

    (Faculty II Economy, Informational and Social Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Kehl, 77694 Kehl, Germany)

Abstract

The intended transition to a low-carbon energy system presents a systemic challenge for every country. The focus of this article is on local energy transition, a decentralized approach in which local municipalities will play a key role. The main question in this article is which determinants support the process towards local energy transition. Therefore, an analytic framework is presented. The three-levels-model is a holistic approach which focuses on determinants considering local context, a macro, and a micro framework. It highlights the dependency of the process from the local context and a sound national transition policy. The model summarizes the complex interrelationships of local energy transition and will enable local communities, networks, and citizens to successfully engage in an energy transition process.

Suggested Citation

  • Hansjörg Drewello, 2022. "Towards a Theory of Local Energy Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11119-:d:907625
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/18/11119/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/18/11119/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ingeborg Graabak & Magnus Korpås, 2016. "Variability Characteristics of European Wind and Solar Power Resources—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-31, June.
    2. Tol, Richard S.J., 2017. "The structure of the climate debate," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 431-438.
    3. McKenna, Eoghan & Pless, Jacquelyn & Darby, Sarah J., 2018. "Solar photovoltaic self-consumption in the UK residential sector: New estimates from a smart grid demonstration project," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 482-491.
    4. Ben Vermeulen & Manfred Paier (ed.), 2017. "Innovation Networks for Regional Development," Economic Complexity and Evolution, Springer, number 978-3-319-43940-2, December.
    5. Antje Klitkou & Arne Martin Fevolden & Allan Dahl Andersen, 2022. "EU R&D Funding for Electricity Grid Technologies and the Energy Transition: Centralised versus Decentralised Transition Pathways," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-25, January.
    6. Juan Aranda & Ignacio Zabalza & Andrea Conserva & Gema Millán, 2017. "Analysis of Energy Efficiency Measures and Retrofitting Solutions for Social Housing Buildings in Spain as a Way to Mitigate Energy Poverty," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-22, October.
    7. Schmidt, J. & Schönhart, M. & Biberacher, M. & Guggenberger, T. & Hausl, S. & Kalt, G. & Leduc, S. & Schardinger, I. & Schmid, E., 2012. "Regional energy autarky: Potentials, costs and consequences for an Austrian region," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 211-221.
    8. Charlotte Jarosch & Philipp Jahnke & Johannes Giehl & Jana Himmel, 2022. "Modelling Decentralized Hydrogen Systems: Lessons Learned and Challenges from German Regions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-27, February.
    9. Erik Laes & Leen Gorissen & Frank Nevens, 2014. "A Comparison of Energy Transition Governance in Germany, The Netherlands and the United Kingdom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-24, February.
    10. Richard Shearmur, 2015. "Far from the Madding Crowd," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 46(3), pages 424-442, September.
    11. Eltham, Douglas C. & Harrison, Gareth P. & Allen, Simon J., 2008. "Change in public attitudes towards a Cornish wind farm: Implications for planning," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 23-33, January.
    12. Krister Andersson & Elinor Ostrom, 2008. "Analyzing decentralized resource regimes from a polycentric perspective," Policy Sciences, Springer;Society of Policy Sciences, vol. 41(1), pages 71-93, March.
    13. Diesendorf, Mark & Elliston, Ben, 2018. "The feasibility of 100% renewable electricity systems: A response to critics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 318-330.
    14. Müller, Matthias Otto & Stämpfli, Adrian & Dold, Ursula & Hammer, Thomas, 2011. "Energy autarky: A conceptual framework for sustainable regional development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(10), pages 5800-5810, October.
    15. Xiong, Bobby & Predel, Johannes & Crespo del Granado, Pedro & Egging-Bratseth, Ruud, 2021. "Spatial flexibility in redispatch: Supporting low carbon energy systems with Power-to-Gas," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    16. Imke Lammers & Lea Diestelmeier, 2017. "Experimenting with Law and Governance for Decentralized Electricity Systems: Adjusting Regulation to Reality?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-14, February.
    17. Ameli, Nadia & Brandt, Nicola, 2015. "What Impedes Household Investment in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy?," International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics, now publishers, vol. 8(1), pages 101-138, May.
    18. Philip Cooke & Bjørn Asheim & Ron Boschma & Ron Martin & Dafna Schwartz & Franz Tödtling (ed.), 2011. "Handbook of Regional Innovation and Growth," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13482.
    19. Buttler, Alexander & Dinkel, Felix & Franz, Simon & Spliethoff, Hartmut, 2016. "Variability of wind and solar power – An assessment of the current situation in the European Union based on the year 2014," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 147-161.
    20. Lienert, Pascal & Suetterlin, Bernadette & Siegrist, Michael, 2015. "Public acceptance of the expansion and modification of high-voltage power lines in the context of the energy transition," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 573-583.
    21. Judson, E. & Fitch-Roy, O. & Pownall, T. & Bray, R. & Poulter, H. & Soutar, I. & Lowes, R. & Connor, P.M. & Britton, J. & Woodman, B. & Mitchell, C., 2020. "The centre cannot (always) hold: Examining pathways towards energy system de-centralisation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    22. Martin Robinius & Alexander Otto & Philipp Heuser & Lara Welder & Konstantinos Syranidis & David S. Ryberg & Thomas Grube & Peter Markewitz & Ralf Peters & Detlef Stolten, 2017. "Linking the Power and Transport Sectors—Part 1: The Principle of Sector Coupling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-22, July.
    23. Engelken, Maximilian & Römer, Benedikt & Drescher, Marcus & Welpe, Isabell, 2016. "Transforming the energy system: Why municipalities strive for energy self-sufficiency," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 365-377.
    24. Barbour, Edward & Parra, David & Awwad, Zeyad & González, Marta C., 2018. "Community energy storage: A smart choice for the smart grid?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 489-497.
    25. Unruh, Gregory C., 2000. "Understanding carbon lock-in," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 28(12), pages 817-830, October.
    26. André Schaffrin & Gabriele Fohr, 2017. "The Local Perspective on Energy Transition and Innovation," Economic Complexity and Evolution, in: Ben Vermeulen & Manfred Paier (ed.), Innovation Networks for Regional Development, pages 75-95, Springer.
    27. Hansjörg Drewello & Nina Kulawik, 2022. "Energiebunker Hamburg—Ecological and Economic Sustainability of a War Relic?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-14, February.
    28. Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye & Watson, Tom & Mocca, Elisabetta, 2015. "Spatially uneven development and low carbon transitions: Insights from urban and regional planning," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 500-510.
    29. Brouwer, Anne Sjoerd & van den Broek, Machteld & Zappa, William & Turkenburg, Wim C. & Faaij, André, 2016. "Least-cost options for integrating intermittent renewables in low-carbon power systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 48-74.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Reppert, Thorsten, 2023. "Local-level ownership of electricity grids: An analysis of Germany's distribution system operators (DSOs)," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    2. Ma, Liuyun & Niu, Lijuan, 2024. "Mineral resources policy with economic risk: Envisaging the role of mineral resources with inclusive financial development for the US economy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wolsink, Maarten, 2020. "Distributed energy systems as common goods: Socio-political acceptance of renewables in intelligent microgrids," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    2. Franz Harke & Philipp Otto, 2023. "Solar Self-Sufficient Households as a Driving Factor for Sustainability Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Hecher, Maria & Vilsmaier, Ulli & Akhavan, Roya & Binder, Claudia R., 2016. "An integrative analysis of energy transitions in energy regions: A case study of ökoEnergieland in Austria," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 40-53.
    4. Weinand, J.M. & McKenna, R. & Fichtner, W., 2019. "Developing a municipality typology for modelling decentralised energy systems," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 75-96.
    5. Kühnbach, Matthias & Pisula, Stefan & Bekk, Anke & Weidlich, Anke, 2020. "How much energy autonomy can decentralised photovoltaic generation provide? A case study for Southern Germany," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    6. McKenna, Russell, 2018. "The double-edged sword of decentralized energy autonomy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 747-750.
    7. Weinand, Jann Michael & Scheller, Fabian & McKenna, Russell, 2020. "Reviewing energy system modelling of decentralized energy autonomy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    8. Juntunen, Jouni K. & Martiskainen, Mari, 2021. "Improving understanding of energy autonomy: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    9. Hoicka, Christina E. & Conroy, Jessica & Berka, Anna L., 2021. "Reconfiguring actors and infrastructure in city renewable energy transitions: A regional perspective," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    10. Batas Bjelic, Ilija & Ciric, Rade M., 2014. "Optimal distributed generation planning at a local level – A review of Serbian renewable energy development," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 79-86.
    11. Maarten Wolsink, 2020. "Framing in Renewable Energy Policies: A Glossary," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-31, June.
    12. McKenna, Russell & Merkel, Erik & Fichtner, Wolf, 2017. "Energy autonomy in residential buildings: A techno-economic model-based analysis of the scale effects," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 800-815.
    13. Thomas Pownall & Iain Soutar & Catherine Mitchell, 2021. "Re-Designing GB’s Electricity Market Design: A Conceptual Framework Which Recognises the Value of Distributed Energy Resources," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-26, February.
    14. Shearmur Richard & Doloreux David, 2022. "Innovation, scaling-up, and local development in peripheral regions: do establishments scale-up locally?," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 66(4), pages 185-200, November.
    15. Mararakanye, Ndamulelo & Bekker, Bernard, 2019. "Renewable energy integration impacts within the context of generator type, penetration level and grid characteristics," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 441-451.
    16. Fitiwi, Desta Z. & Lynch, Muireann & Bertsch, Valentin, 2020. "Power system impacts of community acceptance policies for renewable energy deployment under storage cost uncertainty," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 893-912.
    17. McKenna, Russell & Merkel. Erik & Fichtner, Wolf, 2016. "Energy autonomy in residential buildings: a techno-economic model-based analysis of the scale effects," Working Paper Series in Production and Energy 12, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Industrial Production (IIP).
    18. Schumacher, K. & Krones, F. & McKenna, R. & Schultmann, F., 2019. "Public acceptance of renewable energies and energy autonomy: A comparative study in the French, German and Swiss Upper Rhine region," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 126(C), pages 315-332.
    19. Alexis Tantet & Marc Stéfanon & Philippe Drobinski & Jordi Badosa & Silvia Concettini & Anna Cretì & Claudia D’Ambrosio & Dimitri Thomopulos & Peter Tankov, 2019. "e 4 clim 1.0: The Energy for a Climate Integrated Model: Description and Application to Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-37, November.
    20. Zerrahn, Alexander, 2017. "Wind Power and Externalities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 245-260.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:18:p:11119-:d:907625. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.