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The history and politics of energy transitions: Comparing contested views and finding common ground

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  • Benjamin K. Sovacool

Abstract

According to some definitions, an energy transition refers to the time that elapses between the introduction of a new primary energy source, or prime mover, and its rise to claiming a substantial share of the overall market. According to one academic view, energy transitions take an incredibly long time to occur. Another view argues the opposite. It suggests that there have been many transitions at varying scales that have occurred quite quickly—that is, between a few years and a decade or so, or within a single generation.

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  • Benjamin K. Sovacool, 2016. "The history and politics of energy transitions: Comparing contested views and finding common ground," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2016-81, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2016-81
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Claudia R. Binder & Susan Mühlemeier & Romano Wyss, 2017. "An Indicator-Based Approach for Analyzing the Resilience of Transitions for Energy Regions. Part I: Theoretical and Conceptual Considerations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, January.

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