{"title":"Microgrids and the politics of sustainability transitions: A sociotechnical, multi-coalition perspective","authors":"David J. Hess","doi":"10.1016/j.eist.2024.100839","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study advances theory in the politics of sustainability transitions by 1) developing a type of sociotechnical perspective that follows politics into the details of regulatory conflict over system design, 2) analyzing transition politics as a multi-coalition policy field beyond an intra-industry challenger-incumbent relationship, and 3) showing how political conflict includes broader societal change issues. The study also advances empirical research by examining microgrid policy in California and identifying issues that will likely emerge in other parts of the world with growing microgrid deployment. Central issues identified are local and third-party control over front-of-the-meter systems, equity concerns about cost shifting and access by marginalized communities, the tension between broad decarbonization goals and the use of fossil fuels, and the increased importance of local governments and distribution actors in electricity systems. The analytical framework is used to deepen understanding of the causal conditions that affect the outcomes of the conflicts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":54294,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions","volume":"51 ","pages":"Article 100839"},"PeriodicalIF":5.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210422424000303/pdfft?md5=2ae19077a3f91910db6b39c053d8ba05&pid=1-s2.0-S2210422424000303-main.pdf","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210422424000303","RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This study advances theory in the politics of sustainability transitions by 1) developing a type of sociotechnical perspective that follows politics into the details of regulatory conflict over system design, 2) analyzing transition politics as a multi-coalition policy field beyond an intra-industry challenger-incumbent relationship, and 3) showing how political conflict includes broader societal change issues. The study also advances empirical research by examining microgrid policy in California and identifying issues that will likely emerge in other parts of the world with growing microgrid deployment. Central issues identified are local and third-party control over front-of-the-meter systems, equity concerns about cost shifting and access by marginalized communities, the tension between broad decarbonization goals and the use of fossil fuels, and the increased importance of local governments and distribution actors in electricity systems. The analytical framework is used to deepen understanding of the causal conditions that affect the outcomes of the conflicts.
期刊介绍:
Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions serves as a platform for reporting studies on innovations and socio-economic transitions aimed at fostering an environmentally sustainable economy, thereby addressing structural resource scarcity and environmental challenges, particularly those associated with fossil energy use and climate change. The journal focuses on various forms of innovation, including technological, organizational, economic, institutional, and political, as well as economy-wide and sectoral changes in areas such as energy, transport, agriculture, and water management. It endeavors to tackle complex questions concerning social, economic, behavioral-psychological, and political barriers and opportunities, along with their intricate interactions. With a multidisciplinary approach and methodological openness, the journal welcomes contributions from a wide array of disciplines within the social, environmental, and innovation sciences.