Author: Praetorius, Barbara

Source: GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, Volume 18, Number 3, September 2009 , pp. 221-228(8)

Publisher: oekom verlag

Abstract:

This paper examines success factors for five emerging innovations in the electricity system under the influence of current environmental and economic paradigms such as climate policy and market liberalisation. It widens the conventional focus on technological innovations to encompass organisational and behavioural innovations. The investigation builds on five empirical studies of recent developments in Germany: 1. micro cogeneration of heat and power, 2. carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), 3. informative electricity bills, 4. network regulation, and 5. emissions trading. The paper applies a quasi-evolutionary model to understand the relevant selection pressures - i.e., pressures for change - and transition contexts. The findings underline the importance of resource distribution and actor networks within a socio-technological context. The results support the expectation that such a large technological system will display strong inertia in the face of pressures for change. Lock-in effects may be avoided by regular risk and uncertainty assessments conducted under an interdisciplinary and transparent procedure.

Keywords: CARBON DIOXIDE CAPTURE AND STORAGE (CCS); ELECTRICITY; EMISSIONS TRADING; INNOVATION; LOCK-IN; MICRO COGENERATION; NETWORK REGULATION; SYSTEM

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2009-09-01

More about this publication?

• GAIA is a transdisciplinary journal for scientists and other interested parties concerned with the causes and analyses of environmental and sustainability problems and their solutions.
  
  Environmental problems cannot be solved by one academic discipline. The complex natures of these problems require cooperation across disciplinary boundaries. Since 1991, GAIA has offered a well-balanced and practice-oriented forum for transdisciplinary research. GAIA offers first-hand information on state of the art environmental research and on current solutions to environmental problems. Well-known editors, advisors, and authors work to ensure the high quality of the contributions found in GAIA and a unique transdisciplinary dialogue – in a comprehensible style.
  
  GAIA is an ISI-journal, listed in the Social Science Citation Index and in Current Contents/Social and Behavioral Sciences.
  
  All contributions undergo a double-blind peer review.

• Editorial Board
• Information for Authors
• Subscribe to this Title
• ingentaconnect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Earth and Environmental Sciences ,  Economics ,  Social Science (General)
• By this author: Praetorius, Barbara

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers