Developing transition pathways for a low carbon electricity system in the UK

Abstract

This paper describes the approach to developing transition pathways for a low carbon electricity system in the UK, being pursued in a major new research project. The project aims (a) to learn from past transitions to help explore future transitions and what might enable or avoid them; (b) to design and evaluate transition pathways towards alternative socio-technical energy systems and infrastructures for a low carbon future; and (c) to understand and where appropriate model the changing roles, influences and opportunities of large and small 'actors' in the dynamics of transitions. The paper describes the approach being taken, which builds on the work of Dutch researchers on transitions and transition management using a multi-level framework of niches, socio-technical regime and landscape. It also outlines its application to the case of transition pathways to a regime dominated by local distributed electricity generation, including the evolution of the physical and institutional infrastructure changes, and the roles of actors, both large, e.g. multinational energy supply and distribution companies, national governments, major investors, and small, e.g. households, innovators and entrepreneurs.