Routledge Handbook of Energy Transitions

523 Pages·2022·11.817 MB·English

by  Kathleen Araújo

“Most studies on energy transitions emphasize the need for non-fossil fuels to solve the cur-
rent problems of the world’s energy problems. This book gives a refreshingly broader view: an
energy transition with innovation and changes of behavior as key factors”.
– Professor José Goldemberg, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Lead Author
for the World Energy Assessment and Co-Chair of the Global Energy Assessment
“This is an important book for those interested in the crucial aspect of the energy transition to a
decarbonized economy. As climate change has become a threat multiplier for global insecurities,
we need to move as rapidly as possible, informed by sound analysis such as what these authors
provide, to transition our energy systems”.
– Sherri Goodman, Secretary General, International Military
Council on Climate and Security; Vice Chair,
Secretary of State’s International Security Advisory Board;
Formerly, First Deputy Undersecretary of Defense, Environmental Security, United States
“This timely reference should come as a welcome relief to any policymaker, investor, or practi-
tioner trying to navigate the complex energy transition now underway – a transition we have no
choice but to accelerate. Many useful blueprints can be drawn from its comprehensive coverage
of topics, and the crosscutting way they are presented”.
– Mark Radka, Chief, Energy and Climate Branch,
Economy Division, United Nations Environment Program
“This volume provides a comprehensive overview of all aspects of the ongoing energy transi-
tion. It provides an excellent introduction for students and practitioners alike”.
– Jim Skea, Professor of Sustainable Energy, Centre for Environmental Policy,
Imperial College, United Kingdom; IPCC Working Group III Chair
“The great energy transition of the 21st century is well underway – and it is accelerating. Those
of us working in the feld hope to see by mid-century a fundamentally new global energy sys-
tem built on a backbone of renewable energy. Understanding this transition is key to realizing
this vision and this work provides a critical view from a multidisciplinary perspective addressing
the economic, policy, innovation, and management aspects of the energy transition”.
– Katherine Dykes, Head of Section, Systems Engineering
and Optimization, DTU Wind Energy, Technical University of Denmark
“Energy transitions are frequently mentioned but poorly understood, with too much focus
on utopian technical perspectives without considering the wider socio-economical and philo-
sophical impacts that will afect all communities. This Handbook helps to address this imbalance
through careful curation to provide a comprehensive overview of the essential aspects needing
to be considered when devising energy policies and assessing their efectiveness. The Handbook
should be essential reading for everyone who wants to enable just and efective energy transitions
for all”.
– Martin Young, Former Senior Director, World Energy Council
“Humanity needs to do something unprecedented: foster a complete transformation of a vital
technological infrastructure in less than a decade. And not just any infrastructure but the world’s
energy system. The Routledge Handbook of Energy Transitions sets a foundation for everyone to
better understand the choices in all aspects of the challenge, making it a must-read”.
– Greg Unruh, Arison Chair in Values Leadership; Associate Professor,
Sustainable Business Strategy and Social Innovation, George Mason University;
Strategic Partner of the United Nations Global Compact
“With considerable accumulated expertise, Dr. Araújo has produced important international
work on energy transitions. The Routledge Handbook of Energy Transitions continues this tradi-
tion. This book highlights regional energy insights from Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa,
Australia, and North America, with valuable takeaways for global energy policies. More broadly,
this Handbook brings attention to diverse aspects of energy transitions, primarily triggered by
the necessity of the increasing use of low-carbon energy sources. As such, this book serves as a
valuable reference for energy researchers and policymakers”.
– Jose R. Moreira, Senior Professor at the Institute of Energy
and Environment, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Lead Author,
IPCC Special Report, Methodological and Technological Issues in Technology Transfer
“This Routledge Handbook of Energy Transitions is a guide to the ongoing transformations taking
place and the possible pathways to an – as yet – unrealized low-carbon energy future. Each of
the proposed technological options is covered comprehensively and authoritatively. Of equal
importance is the attention given to the requirements for an accompanying economic and
societal transition that will eventually stabilize atmospheric CO and other greenhouse gases
2
at concentrations that avoid dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. As
this volume makes clear, the transition to wondrous low-carbon technologies can and must be
afordable and acceptable to individuals and societies. This is a recommended reading for any-
one wanting to understand energy transitions”.
– Bill Moomaw, Member, National Advisory Board for the
Union of Concerned Scientists; Chair of the Board of Climate Group North America;
Professor Emeritus of International Environmental Policy, the Fletcher School, Tufts University
“A timely resource that goes beyond the obvious topics to illuminate the links between energy
system transformation and other key policy domains, including food systems, equity concerns,
trade, and macroeconomic stability”.
– Stephen Hammer, Adviser, Global Partnerships and Strategy, World Bank
ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK OF ENERGY
TRANSITIONS
The Routledge Handbook of Energy Transitions draws upon a unique and multidisciplinary network
of experts from around the world to explore the expanding feld of energy transitions.
This Handbook recognizes that considerable changes are underway or are being developed
for the modes in which energy is sourced, delivered, and utilized. Employing a sociotechnical
approach that accounts for economics and engineering, as well as more cross-cutting
factors, including innovation, policy and planning, and management, the volume considers
contemporary ideas and practices that characterize the feld. The book explores pressing issues,
including choices about infrastructure, the role of food systems and materials, sustainability, and
energy democracy. Disruption is a core theme throughout, with the authors examining topics
such as digitalization, extreme weather, and COVID-19, along with regional similarities and
diferences. Overall, the Routledge Handbook of Energy Transitions advances the feld of energy
transitions by connecting ideas, taking stock of empirical insights, and challenging how we
think about the theory and practice of energy systems change.
This innovative volume functions as an authoritative roadmap with both regional and global
relevance. It will be an essential resource for students, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners
researching and working in the felds of energy transitions, planning, environmental management
and policy, sustainable business, engineering, science and technology studies, political science,
geography, design anthropology, and environmental justice.
Kathleen M. Araújo is Director of the CAES Energy Policy Institute and Associate Professor
at Boise State. She earned her PhD at MIT and specializes in energy transitions, regional
diversifcation, innovation, and resilience. She is the author of Low Carbon Energy Transitions:
Turning Points in National Policy and Innovation.

ROUTLEDGE HANDBOOK
OF ENERGY TRANSITIONS
Edited by Kathleen M. Araújo
Designed cover image: jonathanflskov-photography / Getty Images
First published 2023
by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN
and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York 10158
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2023 selection and editorial matter, Kathleen M. Araújo; individual
chapters, the contributors
The right of Kathleen M. Araújo to be identifed as the author of the
editorial material, and of the authors for their individual chapters, has been
asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs
and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identifcation and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-032-02350-2 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-02402-8 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-18302-0 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003183020
Typeset in Bembo
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
This book is for those who want to understand the complex
dynamics of energy transitions.

CONTENTS
List of Figures xiii
List of Boxes xv
List of Tables xvi
List of Contributors xvii
Preface xxiv
Acknowledgments xxv
1 The Evolving Field of Energy Transitions: A World of Change 1
Kathleen M. Araújo
PART I
Concepts and Teory 19
2 A Roadmap for Concepts and Theory of Energy Transitions 21
Kathleen M. Araújo
3 Green Growth and Post Growth: Economic Framing in Low-Carbon
Energy Transitions 40
Timothy J. Foxon
4 Critical Connections in Material Transitions and Energy Transitions 54
Marianne Zotin, Pedro Rochedo, Joana Portugal-Pereira, Alexandre Szklo,
and Roberto Schaefer
5 The Efect of Unarticulated Identities and Values on Energy Policy 71
Joshua T. Brinkman and Richard F. Hirsh
ix