An Enabling Framework to Support the Sustainable Energy Transition at the National Level

The world is fighting against the impacts of the climate crisis. Although the technical feasibility of 100% renewable energy systems was already verified by a variety of research studies, there were still more than 200 GW of unsustainable new coal power capacity under construction at a global level in 2018. To achieve the required carbon neutrality, current energy systems need to be transformed toward sustainable energy. The review of the literature has shown that several barriers for carbon-neutral technologies exist, which currently impede the sustainable transition. This paper focuses on the development of an enabling framework to overcome existing barriers to facilitate sustainable and carbon-neutral technologies at the national level. Additionally, it should support decision makers to consider all underlying criteria of this urgently needed energy transition. The criteria of such an enabling framework can be classified in 11 categories, which are (1) environmental and ecological protection; (2) society, culture, and behavior; (3) equity and justice; (4) knowledge; (5) energy markets; (6) energy policy; (7) legal requirements; (8) finance; (9) institutions; (10) infrastructure; and (11) clash of interests. Even though some criteria differ from country to country, a strong governmental support for the transition is always required to be successful.

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Digitalisation and sustainable energy transitions in Africa: assessing the impact of policy and regulatory environments on the energy sector in Nigeria and South Africa

Energy Sustainability and Society ◽

10.1186/s13705-021-00325-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Fortune Nwaiwu

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Smart Grids ◽

Sustainable Energy ◽

Digital Technologies ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Energy Sector ◽

Use Cases ◽

Energy Transitions ◽

Production And Consumption

Abstract Background Digital technologies have unique characteristics for achieving radically disruptive transitions within the energy sector. They provide opportunities for new production and consumption models between micro-producers and consumers of electricity within communities in a way that transforms the traditional energy generation and consumption model. The study critically assessed the digitalisation of energy systems in Africa within the context of existing policy frameworks in the quest to achieve sustainable energy transitions in Africa. It investigated how digital technologies such as blockchain, digital platforms and smart grids were adopted and implemented within the energy sector to achieve new energy production and consumption models that are both environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. This assessment was done within the context of existing policy and regulatory frameworks of the society where the use cases were domiciled. Methods The aim of the research was to investigate how sustainable energy transitions are being achieved in Nigeria and South Africa through the digitalisation of energy systems. A qualitative methodological approach was done in three stages—a document analysis that reviewed relevant literature on the energy sector policies in Nigeria and South Africa; the next step involved a comparative case study conducted to assess the characteristics of digital technology deployment in each country’s energy transition. Finally, outcomes of the comparative case studies were then situated within the context of existing policies within the countries covered by the study. Results Results from the research indicate that Africa is still in the early stages of adoption and application of digital technologies such as blockchain and smart grids within the energy sector. The results also showed a disconnect between the policy environment and industry efforts at achieving this. The current applications as exemplified in the use cases by the three companies covered in this study indicates that Africa's sustainable energy transition is in a rudimentary or early adoption stage, and they are not currently aided by the policy environments in which such projects are domiciled. Conclusions The research provides deep insights into the current state and developments within the energy sector especially in relation to how digital technologies are being adopted and implemented in solving the energy poverty prevalent across sub-Saharan Africa.

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The future of transportation in sustainable energy systems: Opportunities and barriers in a clean energy transition

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.rser.2017.06.117 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 82 ◽

pp. 1823-1838 ◽

Cited By ~ 68

Author(s):

D.F. Dominković ◽

I. Bačeković ◽

A.S. Pedersen ◽

G. Krajačić

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Energy ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Clean Energy ◽

The Future ◽

Sustainable Energy Systems

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A Framework for Integration of Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems in Urban Planning Processes of Low-Income Developing Countries: Afghanistan Case

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13158428 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 8428

Author(s):

Najib Rahman Sabory ◽

Tomonobu Senjyu ◽

Mir Sayed Shah Danish ◽

Mikaeel Ahmadi ◽

Hameedullah Zaheb ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Developing Countries ◽

Urban Planning ◽

Low Income ◽

Sustainable Energy ◽

National Level ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Growth Enhancement ◽

Smart Energy Systems ◽

Planning Processes

Population growth and city expansion in developing countries require traditional urban planning practices to be transformed in order to tackle climate change and follow Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agendas. Almost every expert in the urban sector believes that future cities should be sustainable, smart, and environmentally friendly, where energy is one of the most critical factors to achieve these goals. They also agree that smart and sustainable energy provision for cities requires a comprehensive and responsive legal and policy framework to be in place at the national level. However, this research’s findings reveal a lack of such frameworks for this group of countries. Considering the challenges and unique nature of Low-Income-Developing (LID) countries, there should be a framework based on the realities in these countries. In this research, key challenges of urban and energy sectors of LID countries, specifically Afghanistan, are identified, and a framework for the integration of sustainable and smart energy in the urban planning processes for LID countries is proposed. To make it easily replicable and adaptable for LID countries, the proposed framework is studied and analyzed around Afghanistan’s urban and energy sectors. This is one of the few frameworks of its kind for LID economies to the best of the authors’ knowledge. This framework lays a solid foundation for sustainable and smart energy integration in the urban planning process of developing countries. This study highlights that sustainable and smart energy systems could ensure climate change mitigation and economic growth enhancement but require close cross-sectoral coordination and policy maker’s commitments and involvement. This research will help many existing and emerging cities in the LID countries’ worldwide use and benefit from the proposed framework in their urban planning processes. It also enables policymakers, urban planners and designers, municipalities leadership, and other stakeholders of the urban, energy, and environment sectors to work together and make smart and rational decisions for the future of their cities and lead them towards smart and sustainable cities.

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A Research Agenda to Better Understand the Human Dimensions of Energy Transitions

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.672776 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Linda Steg ◽

Goda Perlaviciute ◽

Benjamin K. Sovacool ◽

Marino Bonaiuto ◽

Andreas Diekmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Technologies ◽

Sustainable Energy ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Human Dimensions ◽

Policy Support ◽

Main Research ◽

Research Theme ◽

Wide Range ◽

Energy Behaviour

The Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) have a key role to play in understanding which factors and policies would motivate, encourage and enable different actors to adopt a wide range of sustainable energy behaviours and support the required system changes and policies. The SSH can provide critical insights into how consumers could be empowered to consistently engage in sustainable energy behaviour, support and adopt new technologies, and support policies and changes in energy systems. Furthermore, they can increase our understanding of how organisations such as private and public institutions, and groups and associations of people can play a key role in the sustainable energy transition. We identify key questions to be addressed that have been identified by the Platform for Energy Research in the Socio-economic Nexus (PERSON, see person.eu), including SSH scholars who have been studying energy issues for many years. We identify three main research themes. The first research theme involves understanding which factors encourage different actors to engage in sustainable energy behaviour. The second research theme focuses on understanding which interventions can be effective in encouraging sustainable energy behaviour of different actors, and which factors enhance their effects. The third research theme concerns understanding which factors affect public and policy support for energy policy and changes in energy systems, and how important public concerns can best be addressed as to reduce or prevent resistance.

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Travel and the climate crisis: exploring COVID-19 impacts and the power of stories to encourage change

Journal of Tourism Futures ◽

10.1108/jtf-03-2020-0043 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Daniel William Mackenzie Wright

Keyword(s):

Design Methodology ◽

Behavioural Change ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Motivation To Change ◽

Content Type ◽

Community Needs ◽

Carbon Neutrality ◽

Global Priority ◽

Carbon Neutral ◽

Climate Crisis

Purpose The natural environment is facing unprecedented times owing to rising temperatures from carbon emissions, which travel-related industries contribute significantly towards. The recent global COVID-19 outbreak should be a wake-up call for the industry, as vulnerabilities have been laid bare. The current challenges should be used as a motivation to change the meaning of travel to support the global warming crisis. This paper aims emphasis that, by means of new stories, new values, beliefs and ultimately travel behaviours can be rewritten. Design/methodology/approach/ This study embraces a pragmatic approach to research. To ensure plausibility, credibility and relevance, the research carried out multi-disciplinary analysis of secondary data, information, knowledge and draws on current developing trends. Findings The travel community needs to take responsibility and start reducing its carbon footprint and as carbon neutrality is increasingly a global priority. Accordingly, this research considers potential future travel-related behaviours that could support more carbon-neutral travel. Significantly, it notes how the COVID-19 outbreak has offered insights into potential positive changes. To benefit from these changes, new stories for industry providers are necessary to encourage more carbon-neutral travel practices. Originality/value This paper offers timely and original discussions on the future of travel as a result of COVID-19 impacts. It draws on the power of storytelling as a means of achieving behavioural change in the travel community to support the challenge of climate change.

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Why the Carbon-Neutral Energy Transition Will Imply the Use of Lots of Carbon

C – Journal of Carbon Research ◽

10.3390/c6020039 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 39

Author(s):

Jan Mertens ◽

Ronnie Belmans ◽

Michael Webber

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Chemical Element ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Hydrogen Economy ◽

Renewable Electricity ◽

Carbon Neutrality ◽

Synthetic Hydrocarbon ◽

Efficiency Losses ◽

Carbon Neutral ◽

And Storage

This paper argues that electrification and gasification go hand in hand and are crucial on our pathway to a carbon-neutral energy transition. Hydrogen made from renewable electricity will be crucial on this path but is not sufficient, mainly due to its challenges related to its transport and storage. Thus, other ‘molecules’ will be needed on the pathway to a carbon-neutral energy transition. What at first sight seems a contradiction, this paper argues that carbon (C) will be an important and required chemical element in many of these molecules to achieve our carbon neutrality goal. Therefore, on top of the “Hydrogen Economy” we should work also towards a “Synthetic Hydrocarbon Economy”, implying the needs for lots of carbon as a carrier for hydrogen and embedded in products as a form of sequestration. It is crucial that this carbon is taken from the biosphere or recycled from biomass/biogas and not from fossil resources. Due to efficiency losses in capturing and converting atmospheric CO2, the production of renewable molecules will increase the overall demand for renewable energy drastically.

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