People, Demand and Governance in Future Energy Systems Richard Hoggett EPG Working Paper: 1701 Abstract: The energy system within Great Britain has to decarbonise whilst maintaining security and affordability, and this requires coordinated action across the whole energy system. The energy system is already undergoing fundamental change due to a wide range of technological, social and economic drivers, and there is some consensus that direction of travel is towards decentralisation and the demand side. These changes are much closer to people and there is a need to recognise, and value, the central role that they
Read More »Why is Australia becoming an interesting case study for energy reform? Helen Poulter, IGov Team, 24th January 2017 (version updated on 24th Jan) The term ‘utility death spiral’ has seen a re-emergence recently, especially in Australia. The term was originally coined with the new era of competition as energy markets opened up and the rising costs of some utilities meant that consumers could switch to cheaper alternatives/sources. Then, it was much more a conceptual argument – a threat – to ensure policies which did not lead to a death spiral. A perfect storm of requirements would
Read More »BEIS/Ofgem – Smart, Flexible Energy System – A call for evidence Catherine Mitchell, Richard Hoggett and Bridget Woodman, Energy Policy Group, University of Exeter Introduction The Energy Policy Group (EPG) of the University of Exeter is very pleased to input to the BEIS / Ofgem Call for Evidence (CfE) on a Smart, Flexible Energy System. The EPG undertakes many research projects related to innovation and governance within energy systems to increase flexibility and smartness1. We have had one particular project called Innovation and Governance for a Secure and Sustainable Economy (IGov, 2012-2016). This has now
Read More »The UK’s Decision to leave the EU – implications for energy and climate change From: Matthew Lockwood and Antony Froggatt Presentation to: DBEIS and DEEU, 24th November 2016 Outline: Introduction Issues that will determine nature of relationship Lessons from other EU energy relationships Recommendations The presentation is available here: 20161129-brexit-energy-ch-BIES-final
Read More »Cheap ubiquitous battery storage – a thought experiment Matthew Lockwood, IGov Team, 9th December 2016 A few days ago I heard a presentation by Paul Massara of North Star Solar, a new solar PV + battery home energy system start-up. One of his points was that scale manufacture of lithium ion batteries means that electrical storage is getting cheaper and cheaper, and PV + battery packages are now cost effective in the UK with the right financing package. Certainly such systems seem to be taking off in places like Australia, and are now required in
Read More »GB Energy Governance for Innovation, Sustainability and Affordability: An institutional framework By: Catherine Mitchell, Matthew Lockwood, Richard Hoggett and Caroline Kuzemko Published in: online 28th Nov, produced for IGov conference: Energy Governance: New ideas, new institutions, new people – 6th December, London. Overview: Introduction: the challenge of transformation of the energy system Governing for Innovation The existing institutional landscape (and why it needs to change)? Principles for institutional reform An option for institutional change Final Comments Download the paper here: Governing for Innovation, Sustainability and Affordability
Read More »Copenhagen Meetings Nov 2016 From: Catherine Mitchell Presentation 1: A Fit-for-Purpose GB Energy Governance To: Center For Design, Innovation, and Sustainable Transition, Aalborg Univesity, Copenhagen, 23rd November 2016. Overview: There is an enormous amount of change going on in energy systems (technology (supply, demand and operation); economics; social preferences; environmental understanding, business models etc) which is leading to uncertainty Given this situation, energy policy decision-makers, when encouraging innovation: have to make the ‘right’ decisions, then be constantly vigilant about unforeseen consequences, and then be prepared to ‘re-set’ the policy to get it back on track this
Read More »GB Energy Governance for Innovation, Sustainability and Affordability: An institutional framework By: Catherine Mitchell, Matthew Lockwood and Richard Hoggett Published in: Paper for Center For Design, Innovation, and Sustainable Transition, Aalborg University, 23rd November 2016 Available online: 23rd November 2016 Introduction: The energy system in Britain, like others around the world, is undergoing fundamental and rapid change due to a wide range of different drivers, from technology through to social, environmental and businesses preferences and innovations (Mitchell 2016). The drive to decarbonise electricity over the last 30-40 years has led to a significant rise in renewable generation,
Read More »Energy Governance: New ideas, new institutions, new people Venue: British Academy, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London, SW1Y 5AG Program: download the latest Draft Agenda – 6th Dec Conference Booking: secure your place via our Eventbrite page Conference Context Energy systems are going through a period of fundamental change due to new technologies, energy economics, business models and changing social preferences. Much of the momentum for change, in most countries, is closer to the demand side and at the local distribution level, where the opportunities for taking a whole systems approach across electricity, heat and transport are easier
Read More »IGov2 (Innovation and Governance for Future Energy Systems) IGov2 commenced on 1 October 2016, and will run for 3 years. It is an extension of the EPSRC funded IGov project. The IGov2 team (shown in the picture) partly reflects continuity – Catherine Mitchell, Matthew Lockwood and Richard Hoggett – but also reflects the slightly altered focus towards future energy systems. Newcomers to the team are Jess Britton, Antony Froggatt (part time) and Helen Poulter (who is doing a PhD on the South Australia’s energy situation). IGov2 argues that the GB energy system effectively runs along
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