Lecture

Socio-Political Challenges in Energy Transition

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Description

This lecture discusses the socio-political challenges associated with energy transition, focusing on the interplay between society and technology. The instructor introduces the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS) and its relevance to understanding energy demands and policies. The lecture highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among psychologists, sociologists, and anthropologists to address energy issues. Key themes include the impact of societal values and norms on technology adoption, the need for responsible innovation, and the role of justice in energy transitions. The instructor emphasizes the significance of addressing inequalities and ensuring inclusivity in energy solutions. Various strategies for energy efficiency and the integration of renewable technologies are explored, alongside the challenges posed by energy consumption patterns. The lecture concludes with a discussion on the necessity of collective action and the role of citizens in shaping energy policies, advocating for a just and sustainable energy future.

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Related concepts (32)

World energy supply and consumption

World energy supply and consumption refers to the global production and consumption of primary energy. Energy can be consumed in various different forms, as processed fuels or electricity, or for various different purposes, like for transportation or electricity generation. Energy production and consumption are an important part of the economy. This topic includes heat, but not energy from food. This article provides a brief overview of energy supply and consumption, using statistics summarized in tables, of the countries and regions that produce and consume the most energy.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy is energy from renewable resources that are naturally replenished on a human timescale. Renewable resources include sunlight, wind, the movement of water, and geothermal heat. Although most renewable energy sources are sustainable, some are not. For example, some biomass sources are considered unsustainable at current rates of exploitation. Renewable energy is often used for electricity generation, heating and cooling.

Energy demand management

Energy demand management, also known as demand-side management (DSM) or demand-side response (DSR), is the modification of consumer demand for energy through various methods such as financial incentives and behavioral change through education. Usually, the goal of demand-side management is to encourage the consumer to use less energy during peak hours, or to move the time of energy use to off-peak times such as nighttime and weekends.

Renewable energy commercialization

Renewable energy commercialization involves the deployment of three generations of renewable energy technologies dating back more than 100 years. First-generation technologies, which are already mature and economically competitive, include biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat. Second-generation technologies are market-ready and are being deployed at the present time; they include solar heating, photovoltaics, wind power, solar thermal power stations, and modern forms of bioenergy.

Peak demand

Peak demand on an electrical grid is simply the highest electrical power demand that has occurred over a specified time period (Gönen 2008). Peak demand is typically characterized as annual, daily or seasonal and has the unit of power. Peak demand, peak load or on-peak are terms used in energy demand management describing a period in which electrical power is expected to be provided for a sustained period at a significantly higher than average supply level. Peak demand fluctuations may occur on daily, monthly, seasonal and yearly cycles.

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