Abstract
A new phase of energy transition makes auxiliary technologies such as energy storage and other flexibility options more important. Economic policy that aims to steer this transition needs to grasp the complex system dynamics underlying energy and society. This conceptual article gives an overview of energy technology innovation theories that exemplify the growing importance of flexibility for electricity usage. First, the article presents different conceptualizations of technology innovation and diffusion. Second, how energy systems are embedded in physical infrastructures and social power relations is shown with a brief history of electricity in contemporary industrialized societies. Third, energy innovation is discussed in context of challenges of the upcoming energy transition. Fourth, energy technology innovations are further contextualized in light of insights from political economy and energy social sciences. Finally, the discussed approaches are synthesized to amend the holistic technology innovation system approach for studying energy technology innovations such as energy storage.
Highlights
Few depictions of global capitalism are as emblematic as the double role that humanused energy plays—both as an enabler and stabilizer of contemporary global society, and as a transformer of earth’s ecosystems
While energy systems and their transition were traditionally researched from engineering and economics perspectives, recently, more research is emphasizing the social dimension of energy (Miller, Richter, and O’Leary 2015)
This article sets out to identify the research steps concerning the phase of the energy transition
Summary
Christensen TH, Friis F, Bettin S, Throndsen W, Ornetzeder M, Skjølsvold TM, Ryghaug M (2020) The role of competences, engagement, and devices in configuring the impact of prices in energy demand response: findings from three smart energy pilots with households.
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