Scripting Transitions: A framework to analyze structural changes in socio-technical systems

Abstract

A sustainable energy system is paramount if we would like to see our future generations prosper. Changing the energy system towards sustainability implies a transition. The contribution of this research will be to develop an analytical tool that will give insight into possible transitions in energy systems. Dominant views on transition are centered on the system level dynamics, where the focus is on an aggregated view of the system. We see a gap in the literature, especially a framework that maps out structural changes during transition is missing. We hypothesize that systematic analysis of the structure and processes will give us an insight into the transition process. If we could garner insight into this, we would know which actors control, or are influenced by, such structures; and which incentives or disincentives would mobilize or constrain such actors. Such actor-centered approach will help us in identifying policy levers by giving a clear idea to policy makers how to cater to the intrinsic drivers of different actors in order to nudge the transition towards a desired end-state. As this framework is intended to script transitions, through detailed structural analysis along with their accompanying actors and processes, we name it TranScript. TranScript captures the relationship between the actors, structures and processes – where actor create structures, but at the same time actors’ actions (processes) are facilitated by structures (more specifically, rules).