Energy Governance Research Articles

Governance Frameworks for Renewable Energy Development: Energy Transition and Public Governance

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate governance frameworks for renewable energy development, with the aim of understanding how effective governance can facilitate the energy transition and contribute to sustainable development. Theoretical Framework: This research draws on key theories in public governance and energy transition, focusing on regulatory mechanisms, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of renewable energy policies. Concepts from energy security and sustainable development underpin the analysis. Method: A comprehensive literature review and case study analysis were conducted. The study design includes an examination of regulatory and policy mechanisms, stakeholder involvement, and institutional structures across various regions. Data collection was based on case studies from different countries, analyzing the challenges and successes in renewable energy governance. Results and Discussion: The results revealed the critical role of policy coherence, long-term stability, and stakeholder engagement in the successful implementation of governance frameworks. Key challenges such as regulatory uncertainty, grid integration, and public acceptance were identified. The discussion contextualizes these findings within the theoretical framework, offering insights into the relationships between governance and energy policy outcomes. Research Implications: The study provides practical and theoretical implications for policymakers and energy practitioners. It underscores the need for coherent, stable, and inclusive governance frameworks that can address barriers and promote the integration of renewable energy into national energy systems. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by offering an in-depth analysis of governance frameworks and their role in the renewable energy transition. It highlights best practices and offers valuable lessons for stakeholders engaged in energy governance.

National goal, local resistance: How institutional gaps hinder local renewable energy development in Taiwan

In most countries, energy transitions are well supported by the public; however, the implementation of renewable energy policies at the local level is often beset with resistance. Previous research has mainly focused on factors influencing community acceptance and strategies to improve social acceptance. Meanwhile, there has been limited analysis of the institutional gaps that lead to local resistance and the dynamic effects of institutional factors on renewable energy implementation at the local level. This paper thus investigates Taiwan's regulations for renewable energy development, presenting a detailed case study from a local context. It examines the factors contributing to local resistance to the implementation of national renewable energy policy targets and explores the dynamics of these resistance actions. Furthermore, through the lens of multi-level governance, the study reveals the institutional gaps and interactions that influence the execution of national policy at the local level. Six major institutional gaps in Taiwan's renewable energy governance were identified, including the lack of energy governance authorizations for local governments, a lack of superordinate site selection criteria and evaluation mechanisms for development zones, lack of governance systems that can address multiple issues, lack of scientific and academic information, lack of information disclosure and public participation mechanisms, and the burden of carbon reduction responsibilities and costs on local communities with few or no benefits. Compounded together, these six institutional gaps lead to the buildup of negative experiences interacting with the government and the renewable energy industry and feelings of worry, panic, distrust, and injustice among the local populace. These ultimately trigger resistance attitudes and the adoption of protest actions, hindering solar farm developments from reaching national policy targets. This study highlights the critical role of multi-level governance in facilitating the energy transition, emphasizing that the successful development of renewable energy requires a robust institutional framework. Such a framework is essential for addressing the complex governance challenges that arise during this transition, particularly aspects supporting local engagement. The six institutional gaps identified from the Taiwan case can serve as policy references for countries or cities intending to promote ground-mounted solar power.

An analytical framework to examine power in sustainable energy decision-making in cities

Urban areas are emerging as “strategic sites” in the ongoing sustainable energy (SE) transitions. This has rekindled the importance of urban governments in initiating this transition urgently, a departure from the actors managing more mainstream centralized energy governance. However, while there is a growing international and academic interest in urban energy transitions, the political presence of cities in the global clean energy landscape remains largely underwhelming. Scholars studying urban energy transitions or governance have often pointed toward the lack of material and knowledge capacities of the urban governments as the key barrier for their muted actions. I argue that decision-making by urban governments with respect to clean energy adoption needs deeper inspection wherein aspects such as capacity, or the lack of it, are symptoms of underlying power contestations and conflicts that are negotiated in multi-level governance systems. The scholarship of power captures the ideas of contestation, control, and acquiescence, going beyond the ideas of cooperation prevalent in multilevel governance. In this article, I juxtapose these with concepts from multi-level governance and socio-technical studies to offer an analytical framework for understanding energy decision-making by city governments. The framework presented in this article attempts to capture both direct and indirect forms of power, their operationalization, and manifestation in constituting identities, actual decisions (and indecisions) as well as the conditions of decision-making. I also use the framework to understand the role of power in sustainable energy decision-making in three cities in India as an illustration of possible application of the framework.

Narratives, expectations, and policy criteria for a democratic and socially engaging energy transition

Energy transition policies can be translated into narratives about how energy systems should change (e.g., towards a centralised or decentralised system). These narratives tend to reflect expectations, priorities, and perceptions on feasibility and the social acceptability of different policy options, as well as long-term goals and trade-offs, all of which influence policy criteria. Taking as its case study Portugal and the implementation of European directives there, this study aims to characterise energy transition narratives (e.g. a swift transformation to renewables) and interrelated policy criteria (e.g., participation of local communities), focusing on expectations for a socially engaging and democratic energy transition. The analysis builds on the results of a Delphi survey with 10 expert stakeholders, a citizens’ survey (n=500), and a workshop with 19 participants. It identifies the most relevant criteria to stakeholders, as well as the importance of different underlying expectations, meanings, and attitudes shaping narratives about energy system futures. The findings indicate that criteria interrelated to narratives which highlight a promise of democratic energy governance may be less important for energy transition policies, and therefore undermine energy democracy goals. The conclusion highlights suggestions for policy and future research more likely to foster sociopolitical acceptance.

Energy Politics and Warfare: How International Energy Interests Shape Alliances in the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict

Purpose: This study aims to critically examine the intricate interplay of energy politics and military strategy within the context of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. It posits that energy resources - specifically oil and natural gas - serve as pivotal factors that shape strategic alliances, influence geopolitical manoeuvring, and dictate the foreign policy trajectories of international actors, including the United States, the European Union, and China. Materials and Methods: The research employs a qualitative methodology that is underpinned by a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with a diverse cohort of policymakers, energy analysts, and industry stakeholders. Through this empirical approach, the study explores the participants' perceptions regarding the nexus between energy dynamics and security policymaking. In addition to the qualitative interviews, the investigation analyses a range of qualitative materials, including public statements, policy documents, and corporate strategic outlines. Discourse analysis is utilized to further uncover the mechanisms through which energy companies exert influence on governmental policies and military postures. Findings: The anticipated findings are expected to provide a nuanced understanding of the centrality of energy resources in influencing military strategies and fostering international coalitions. This analysis will contribute to an enriched scholarly discourse that informs not only theoretical frameworks in international relations but also practical applications in global energy governance and security. Implications to Theory, Policy and Practice: The inquiry underscores the imperative for a multifaceted and informed policy approach that acknowledges the profound implications of energy resources on national interests and global stability. By integrating energy considerations into security policymaking, the study advocates for a reassessment of traditional strategic paradigms that often overlook the complexities arising from energy interdependence.

Hydrocarbon trade deflection and supply‑chain trade restructuring under sanctions imposed during theRussia–Ukraine conflict

In response to international sanctions, Russia has restructured its hydrocarbon commerce through trade deflection, redirecting exports from sanctioning to non-sanctioning countries. Theresearch aimed to analyze hydrocarbon trade deflection under theRussia–Ukraine conflict within thecontext of theChina–Russia Strategic Partnership and BRICS, and to assess therestructuring of Russia’s crude oil and natural gas supply chains from 2020 to 2023. Two questions were addressed: Whether trade deflection shifted towards non-sanctioning countries, including China and other BRICS countries; whether Russia’s oil and gas supply chains were restructured towards these regions? Design incorporates themethod developed by theauthor which generates and utilizes an integrated database of Bill of Lading and export data to analyze supply-chain trade restructuring, identifying specific shifts in trade flows by product, country, and enterprises. Findings reflected that after sanctions were imposed in early 2022, Russian hydrocarbon exports to sanctioning countries declined sharply, while exports to non-sanctioning countries, particularly China and India, increased significantly. Findings demonstrate theeffectiveness of trade deflection as a strategic response to sanctions. This strategy has mitigated theadverse impacts on Russian oil and gas industry, with significant increases in exports to China and India. TheComprehensive Strategic Partnership with China has helped secure a substantial market for Russian crude oil and increased China’s energy security. This study enhances understanding of trade deflection mechanisms and provides a framework for analyzing theinterplay between international trade, geopolitical strategies, and economic resilience. Geopolitical alliances and trade partnerships have ensured ­resilience and continuity in global trade. This shift indicates strategic diversification towards Asian markets and increased Central Asian involvement. BRICS engagement has provided Russia with a platform to advocate for energy security and challenge Western dominance in global energy governance. Future research should explore other supply-chain components and analyze trade within theBRICS+ group and Russia–China bilateral trade.

When does the energy transition impact household affordability? A mixed-methods comparison of fourteen coal and carbon-intensive regions

Understanding what conditions promote or hinder energy affordability in energy transitions is crucial for coal and carbon-intensive regions (CCIRs) dealing with the trade-off between phasing out fossil fuels and deepening social inequalities. While previous studies have included household and national-level conditions, this paper addresses the research gap covering regional-level conditions by drawing from regional energy governance, energy justice, and sociotechnical transition frameworks. A mixed-method approach consisting of a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis and case-study analysis is applied to 14 CCIRs in Europe, Asia, and North America. Results show that energy affordability in CCIRs is influenced by combinations of regional and (inter)national conditions. Whereas the existing literature and transition policies do not differentiate between the CCI sector’s transition type, this paper highlights that conditions underlying energy (un)affordability differ when the CCI sector is phased out or has the option to transition. Based on the findings, this study calls for a multi-level governance approach to alleviating and preventing energy unaffordability and recommends that policy mixes like the EU Just Transition Fund consider the different types of CCIR transitions.

Powering Growth: The Dynamic Impact of Renewable Energy on GDP in ASEAN-5

This study investigates the dynamic relationships between renewable energy consumption, labor force, gross fixed capital (GFC), and GDP across ASEAN-5 nations from 1984 to 2020. Utilizing data from the World Development Indicators (WDI), the Energy Information Agency (EIA), and national labor statistics, we employ unit root tests, ARDL bound testing for cointegration, and Toda-Yamamoto causality procedures. Our findings indicate significant long-term cointegration between the studied variables in Indonesia and the Philippines, suggesting persistent economic relationships, while results for Malaysia show no cointegration and remain inconclusive for Thailand. The economic analysis reveals that GFC robustly drives GDP growth across these countries, whereas the impacts from labor force and renewable energy consumption are more variable. Causality tests further demonstrate that renewable energy consumption significantly fosters GDP growth in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, aligning with the growth hypothesis. Conversely, findings for the Philippines and Thailand support the neutrality hypothesis, indicating no direct causal impacts. These insights underline the crucial role of tailored renewable energy strategies to enhance economic growth and sustainability in ASEAN-5, providing valuable policy implications for regional energy governance.

A comparative study of energy governance on energy resilience: process tracing of China and Thailand's solar power development

Asia, the world's highest emitting region with surging electricity demand, must transition to clean energy sources for sustainable development. Despite significant progress in solar power deployment, its penetration in the electricity mix remains relatively low. This study employs process tracing to compare solar power development in China and Thailand from 2000 to 2023, representing state-driven and society-centered governance approaches. By analyzing data from secondary sources and conducting online stakeholder interviews, we assess the role of energy governance in fostering resilience during the low-carbon transition. We find state-driven governance exhibits resilience in addressing immediate crises, while society-centered governance drives societal transformation towards a low-carbon future. While state-centric governance suits large-scale centralized renewables, society-centered governance is crucial for distributed renewable projects. Path-dependent governance determines how the energy sector takes in niche innovation, and the reinforced governance structure constrains energy resilience given the interaction within and of the sector with other societal actors. The findings provide insights to inform evidence-based policies and interventions for renewable deployment.

Global Geopolitical Changes and New/Renewable Energy Game

This study analyzes the impact of global geopolitical changes on new/renewable energy (NRE) policies and their roles in enhancing national energy security, elevating international stature, and influencing the global energy market. Using game theory, it reveals how NRE policies promote technological innovation, diversify energy supply, and strengthen international collaboration, thus advancing the global energy system towards a low-carbon transition and improving international energy governance. NRE policies significantly enhance national energy security by reducing dependency on single energy sources, facilitate the global shift to low-carbon energy, and intensify international cooperation. The effectiveness of these policies in driving energy transformation is notable, and they are expected to remain crucial for global energy security and sustainable transition. Recommendations include strengthening the stability and security of energy supply chains through enhanced oversight, increasing investment in R&D and innovation to reduce costs, fostering international cooperation for better policy coordination, and implementing diversified energy policies to encourage the adoption of NRE. These measures will address challenges from global geopolitical dynamics and drive the global energy system towards sustainability and efficiency.

Taking first steps so that others can run – functions and limitations of governing the local energy transition

ABSTRACT Rising energy prices and fuel scarcity are exposing the volatility of our energy system and creating additional pressures to speed up the transition towards renewable energy using distributed production and integrated local grids. This raises the need for local governments to become more actively involved in energy governance by managing the transition of their energy systems and involving local stakeholders. However, the exact role of local authorities in steering this transition remains uncertain as they lack financial and administrative capacities and rely extensively on experimental innovation projects and external stakeholders. This paper therefore asks what functions local authorities exercise to govern the energy transition and under what conditions they can facilitate participation in and scaling of energy innovations. Drawing on the literature on experimental governance, the paper analyses four qualitative case studies of energy innovation projects run by local governments in Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK. It finds that local authorities can actively support innovation projects through funding and knowledge, convene between stakeholder groups, scale innovations through planning and promotional work, and use trial insights to advocate for policy change. However, their ability to exercise these functions is dependent on local stakeholder constellations and domestic policy conditions.

When the past meets the future: Latin American Indigenous futures, transitional justice and global energy governance

This article proposes a transitional energy justice framework to analyse a "green" transition and offers recommendations to transform the realities of the lives of Indigenous Peoples in Latin America. We share our perspectives as mestiza, Wapichan and Kichwa women through narratives. In the discussion, we compare previous research on environmental and energy justice to identify the ways in which global energy governance can implement fairer and more equitable projects in the future, such as respect for land tenure and more-than-human beings. Additionally, temporality and relationality act as tools for global energy governance institutions. Temporality in transitional energy justice has to do with healing historical violence across generations, whereas relationality means building respectful relationships with each involved Indigenous community. The article concludes by providing policy recommendations that emphasise strengthening local governance – deep engagement of state and non-state actors with each community – along with international policy-making to prevent energy-related negative externalities and legislation to facilitate Indigenous self-determination to build their futures.

Study on the Evolution of the World Economy and International Cooperation in the Context of Carbon Neutrality

With the passage of time and the promotion of global eco-environmental protection concepts, the issue of the climate crisis has attracted the attention of all countries in the world and has become a hot topic characterized by ties. In recent years, major economies have announced their participation in carbon neutral activities one after another, actively implemented the carbon neutral targets, promoted international exchanges based on the concept of green and low carbon, deepened the degree of greening cooperation among countries, and met the needs of carbon neutral policy implementation from a strategic perspective. In the process of popularizing the concept of carbon neutrality, global economies have been able to participate in ecological and environmental protection activities together. Nowadays, there are certain changes in the global development pattern, and a scientific and technological revolution oriented to the goal of carbon neutrality has quietly arrived, and the world energy governance order has also changed. This paper analyzes the trend of the world economy in the context of carbon neutrality and the challenges of cooperation brought about by it, and puts forward the idea of participation in international cooperation from China's standpoint.

Study on the spatial network structure of energy carbon emission efficiency and its driving factors in Chinese cities

How to adapt to climate change while achieving sustainable economic and social growth has become a major topic of concern worldwide. With the constraints of the dual‑carbon strategy, the integration of regional environmental governance and energy carbon reduction governance is a prevalent focus. This study focuses on analyzing 282 prefecture-level cities in China. The SNA approach and modified gravitation model are utilized to estimate the energy carbon emission efficiency of Chinese cities from 2006 to 2021. The spatial correlation network and the QAP model are ultimately utilized to investigate the factors. The study presented the following findings: ① There are notable temporal and regional discrepancies in the energy carbon emission efficacy of Chinese cities. Generally, defined by high values in the east and low values in the west. ② The efficiency of energy carbon emissions in networks connecting urban areas in China is multidimensional, complex, and organic and has improved stability. ③ The developed regions in the east exert a dominant influence on the geographical network, while the central and western parts of the country, which are distant, are considered peripheral. ④ There are few connections within each segment of the geographic correlation network for energy carbon emission efficiency in Chinese cities; however, there are substantial correlations between segments, indicating the presence of a substantial spillover effect. ⑤ The formation of energy‑carbon emission efficiency correlation networks in Chinese cities is significantly influenced by disparities in economic development and government intervention. Conversely, the level of science and education exerts a significantly negative impact on this phenomenon. It is advisable to encourage the development of a spatial correlation network that connects urban energy carbon emission efficiency. This can be achieved through the implementation of specific measures, the establishment of a regional coordination mechanism, leveraging the strengths of energy-efficient regions in the east, maximizing the potential of each sector, and considering the factors that influence the outcomes. Compressing the driving factors and attributes of the spatial correlation network of energy carbon emission efficiency holds substantial practical importance for facilitating the ongoing expansion of the regional low-carbon energy network space and establishing a regional low-carbon synergistic energy governance system.

A grey prediction model optimized by meta-heuristic algorithms and its application in forecasting carbon emissions from road fuel combustion

In Cameroon, predicting CO2 emissions from road transports is crucial since it contributes in formulating the government's energy plans and strategies. In this perspective, this paper proposes an optimized wavelet transform hausdorff multivariate grey model (OWTHGM(1,N)) that addresses some of the weaknesses of the classical GM(1,N) model such as inaccurate prediction and poor stability. In all, three improvements have been made to the classical GM(1,N): First, all inputs are filtered using the wavelet transform, thereby denoising variables that could hamper modelling; second, a new time response function is established using the Hausdorff derivative; and finally, the use of Rao's algorithm to optimise the model's parameters as well as the ξ-order accumulated value of the observation data described by the Hausdorff derivative. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of OWTHGM(1,N), it is applied to predict CO2 emissions from road transport. The new model produces predictions with 1.27 % MAPE and 79.983 RMSE, and is therefore more accurate than competing models. OWTHGM(1,N) could therefore serve a reliable forecasting tool and used to monitor the evolution of CO2 emissions in Cameroon. The forecast results also serve as a sound foundation for the formulation of energy consumption strategies and environmental policies.

Rescaling wind energy governance – the dynamic interplay between efficiency and justice in energy policy constructions

ABSTRACT Renewable energy transitions are considered key to fuel green transitions. Wind energy is positioned as a cost-beneficial energy source, but also generates environmental conflicts and contestations of distribution of power and benefits. Scalar changes (rescaling) of political, social, and economic structures and processes have gained increased awareness. Less attention has been given to how energy policies influence the scaling of governance regimes, and how energy policies are shaped by changing perceptions and claims. The article explores how and why energy policies rescale governance regimes of wind energy in Norway, Denmark and Scotland. It examines the emergent and relational socio-spatial processes of energy policymaking as assemblages and analyses material and expressive forces influencing wind energy policies and governance scaling/rescaling. The authors find that perceptions of legitimate governance frameworks within energy policy constructions are destabilized/stabilized over time. Scalar shifts within governance frameworks are influenced by forces of market concerns, green growth and value creation, by energy security concerns, stability and industry development, and by concerns of societal welfare, independence, and provision. The authors conclude that divergent forces destabilizing/stabilizing energy policy assemblages and deterritorializing/reterritorializing scalar configurations are influenced by concerns of both energy efficiency and energy justice.

The spatial and scalar politics of a just energy transition in Illinois

Illinois passed the Energy Transition Act (i.e., the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act or CEJA) in 2021, which established clean energy mandates with an emphasis on social equity. We examine CEJA and related policies to understand the politics of Illinois' energy transition. While CEJA has been praised as an approach to a just transition, critics argue that it exacerbated Illinois' rural-urban dichotomy by distributing benefits to urban areas defined as ‘environmental justice communities’ and tangible costs, in the form of clean energy infrastructure, to rural communities. We demonstrate that, leading up to and in response, 1) local governments deployed measures to oppose renewable energy development and 2) the state, in turn, scaled authority for energy governance upward to inhibit opposition. By framing reduced participation as necessary for just climate action, Illinois undermined procedural forms of justice viewed as critical to a just transition and reinforced energy as a partisan political issue. This case illustrates how a narrow definition of justice can contribute to distributive conflict in the energy transition and identifies a need for more inclusive strategies to manage such conflict.

Blockchain for urban governance: Enhancing trust in smart city systems with advanced techniques

The rapid urbanization and increasing energy demands necessitate innovative solutions for efficient energy governance in smart cities from the social science perspective. This paper introduces a comprehensive framework for Urban Energy Governance (UEG), focusing on the collaboration of three urban systems in energy exchange considering social and environmental impacts. To address the challenges of security, energy forecasting, and nonlinear optimization, we employ advanced techniques, including blockchain technology, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks for accurate energy forecasting, and a modified Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm for solving the proposed nonlinear optimization problem. The utilization of blockchain enhances the security and transparency of energy transactions, fostering trust among stakeholders. Additionally, LSTM models leverage historical data to provide precise energy forecasts, optimizing resource utilization. The modified PSO algorithm tailors optimization to the specific nonlinearities of the proposed problem, ensuring efficient and effective decision-making in the context of Urban Energy Governance. Through a multi-faceted approach, our framework contributes to the advancement of smart city systems, providing a secure, forecast-driven, and optimized energy governance model for sustainable urban development.

Performance of a solar parabolic trough concentrator using vacuum linear V-shaped cavity receiver

The popularity of renewable energy is on the rise as fossil fuel resources continue to deplete and environmental pollution levels increase. Consequently, enhancing the performance of renewable energy systems has become a compelling subject of research. This study introduces an innovative structure, the Linear Cavity Receiver (LCR), as a receiver for solar Parabolic Trough Concentrators (PTCs). Notably, this novel structure incorporates a vacuum V-shaped LCR, marking a pioneering achievement worldwide. By adopting this configuration, the solar system’s thermal efficiency is enhanced through the reduction of heat losses. The results confirmed the superiority of the vacuum V-shaped LCR over a non-vacuum receiver in optimizing the performance of the solar PTC system. It was found that the vacuum linear V-shaped cavity receiver exhibited superior efficiency for larger cavity tube diameters, higher inlet temperatures, and lower volume flow rates. Moreover, this study showed that decreasing the cavity tube diameter, increasing solar radiation, reducing the working fluid (WF)’s inlet temperature, and raising the volume flow rate contribute to an increase in both cavity heat gain and the solar system’s thermal efficiency. It can be concluded that the thermal efficiency of the solar system was about 72.24 %, 71.6 %, and 69.9 % for cavity tube diameters 5 mm, 10 mm, and 25 mm, respectively. These findings hold great significance in the design of power-generating PTC systems, ensuring their optimal efficiency. Also, the results of this study can be used to improve energy governance by using more efficient thermal power systems.

Nuclear Governance Assessing Effectiveness and Enhancing International Cooperation

This article explores the legal regulation of atomic energy, focusing on its historical evolution, current status, and effectiveness. It addresses gaps in understanding regarding the adequacy of existing regulations and the extent of international cooperation. Employing a multifaceted approach, including documentary analysis and interviews, the study assesses legislative frameworks and institutional mechanisms. Findings reveal the complexities of atomic energy governance and underscore the importance of international cooperation in enhancing regulatory compliance. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, facilitating informed strategies to strengthen nuclear governance and ensure safe and sustainable atomic energy utilization. Highlights: Comprehensive assessment of legal regulations governing atomic energy. Importance of international cooperation in enhancing regulatory compliance. Implications for strengthening nuclear governance and promoting sustainability. Keywords: Atomic Energy, Legal Regulation, International Cooperation, Governance, Agreements