Marcelo Maestrini , Marco Vargas , Luciano Losekann , Paulo Mauricio Senra
{"title":"Energy transition and innovative choices of Brazilian electricity distribution utilities","authors":"Marcelo Maestrini , Marco Vargas , Luciano Losekann , Paulo Mauricio Senra","doi":"10.1016/j.jup.2025.101913","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Integrating new distributed energy resource technologies poses challenges for electricity distribution utilities. This study evaluates whether the Brazilian R&D program effectively guides utilities in adopting energy transition technologies. A comparative analysis of Brazilian and British R&D programs and the evolution of the Brazilian program reveals that Brazil's distribution sector remains focused on traditional technologies, with limited advancements in energy transition. While PROP&D has redirected technological research, its impact remains modest, and operational vulnerabilities persist. Policymakers should foster innovation by streamlining regulations and establishing clear policies to mitigate risks and encourage investment. This study highlights the limitations and progress of sectoral innovation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23554,"journal":{"name":"Utilities Policy","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 101913"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Utilities Policy","FirstCategoryId":"96","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0957178725000281","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"经济学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ENERGY & FUELS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Integrating new distributed energy resource technologies poses challenges for electricity distribution utilities. This study evaluates whether the Brazilian R&D program effectively guides utilities in adopting energy transition technologies. A comparative analysis of Brazilian and British R&D programs and the evolution of the Brazilian program reveals that Brazil's distribution sector remains focused on traditional technologies, with limited advancements in energy transition. While PROP&D has redirected technological research, its impact remains modest, and operational vulnerabilities persist. Policymakers should foster innovation by streamlining regulations and establishing clear policies to mitigate risks and encourage investment. This study highlights the limitations and progress of sectoral innovation.
期刊介绍:
Utilities Policy is deliberately international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral. Articles address utility trends and issues in both developed and developing economies. Authors and reviewers come from various disciplines, including economics, political science, sociology, law, finance, accounting, management, and engineering. Areas of focus include the utility and network industries providing essential electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater, solid waste, communications, broadband, postal, and public transportation services.
Utilities Policy invites submissions that apply various quantitative and qualitative methods. Contributions are welcome from both established and emerging scholars as well as accomplished practitioners. Interdisciplinary, comparative, and applied works are encouraged. Submissions to the journal should have a clear focus on governance, performance, and/or analysis of public utilities with an aim toward informing the policymaking process and providing recommendations as appropriate. Relevant topics and issues include but are not limited to industry structures and ownership, market design and dynamics, economic development, resource planning, system modeling, accounting and finance, infrastructure investment, supply and demand efficiency, strategic management and productivity, network operations and integration, supply chains, adaptation and flexibility, service-quality standards, benchmarking and metrics, benefit-cost analysis, behavior and incentives, pricing and demand response, economic and environmental regulation, regulatory performance and impact, restructuring and deregulation, and policy institutions.