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Urban Infrastructure Dynamics: Market Regulation and the Shaping of District Energy in UK Cities

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  • Ronan Bolton
  • Timothy J Foxon

Abstract

This paper explores the interaction between urban-scale energy infrastructure and the regulatory regime which underpins the liberalisation of energy systems. Using the example of district energy in a number of UK cities, we outline the ways in which the structure of national electricity markets and the activities of the energy regulator influence and shape the development of low-carbon infrastructure in cities. We draw upon recent contributions to the sociotechnical systems literature which highlights the role of cities in shaping infrastructure transitions and argue that the influence of sector regulation has been underrepresented and underexplored. Our study points to significant tensions and misalignments between a regulatory regime designed to promote economic efficiencies in incumbent national infrastructure sectors and the development of district energy systems at the urban scale. We propose that regulation needs to evolve from its traditional emphasis on promoting competition and short-term efficiencies towards a more dynamic model which is open to alternative logics and low-carbon transition pathways.

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  • Ronan Bolton & Timothy J Foxon, 2013. "Urban Infrastructure Dynamics: Market Regulation and the Shaping of District Energy in UK Cities," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 45(9), pages 2194-2211, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envira:v:45:y:2013:i:9:p:2194-2211
    DOI: 10.1068/a45575
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. P.W.J. de Bijl & Helanya Fourie, 2019. "The energy transition: Does ownership matter for realizing public interest objectives?," Working Papers 19-24, Utrecht School of Economics.
    2. Hall, Stephen & Foxon, Timothy J., 2014. "Values in the Smart Grid: The co-evolving political economy of smart distribution," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 600-609.
    3. Hannon, Matthew J. & Bolton, Ronan, 2015. "UK Local Authority engagement with the Energy Service Company (ESCo) model: Key characteristics, benefits, limitations and considerations," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 198-212.
    4. Nochta, Timea & Skelcher, Chris, 2020. "Network governance in low-carbon energy transitions in European cities: A comparative analysis," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    5. Setyowati, Abidah B. & Quist, Jaco, 2022. "Contested transition? Exploring the politics and process of regional energy planning in Indonesia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    6. Bolton, Ronan & Hannon, Matthew, 2016. "Governing sustainability transitions through business model innovation: Towards a systems understanding," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(9), pages 1731-1742.
    7. Bolton, Ronan & Foxon, Timothy J., 2015. "Infrastructure transformation as a socio-technical process — Implications for the governance of energy distribution networks in the UK," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 90(PB), pages 538-550.
    8. Brinker, Laura & Satchwell, Andrew J., 2020. "A comparative review of municipal energy business models in Germany, California, and Great Britain: Institutional context and forms of energy decentralization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    9. Monstadt, Jochen & Wolff, Annika, 2015. "Energy transition or incremental change? Green policy agendas and the adaptability of the urban energy regime in Los Angeles," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 213-224.
    10. Ronan Bolton & Timothy J Foxon & Stephen Hall, 2016. "Energy transitions and uncertainty: Creating low carbon investment opportunities in the UK electricity sector," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 34(8), pages 1387-1403, December.

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