Systemic Innovation in the European Energy Sector: A Collective Outlook

Article Sidebar

Paper 1st page.
PDF
Published: Oct 14, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24840/2183-0606_012.002_0003
Issue: Vol. 12 No. 2 (2024)
Keywords:
energy transition, rebound effect, Innovation Management, Socio-technical systems, Energy-as-a-Service, Systems thinking

Main Article Content

Simon Önnered
Mälardalen University, Dept. of Innovation Management, Hamngatan 15, Eskilstuna, Sweden.
https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3129-3566
Ivona Bravić
LBD Beratungsgesellschaft mbH, Mollstraße 32, 10249 Berlin, Germany.
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9559-9658

Abstract

Applying the principles of systems thinking in the evolution of energy systems is a crucial approach to meet the long-term horizons of goals in the energy sector. Through a participatory approach, this paper outlines what we view as the trends shaping the current development of the energy sector; the challenges we must face as a result, and the transitions required to tackle them. Furthermore, we discuss how systems thinking can address these challenges through changing not the components, but rather their relationships and structures. Contributing to the emerging stream of literature applying more holistic approaches to energy transitions, in contrast to more linear systems modelling. We provide innovative insights into how future energy systems could be designed to become more regenerative, resilient, empowering, whilst technologically- and economically feasible; to overcome the challenges of carbon lock-in effects and carbon capture, the rebound effects of efficiency strategies, and social sustainability for just transitions.

Article Details

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
Author Biographies

Simon Önnered, Mälardalen University, Dept. of Innovation Management, Hamngatan 15, Eskilstuna, Sweden.

Simon Önnered is a PhD candidate at Mälardalen University, Eskilstuna, Sweden. Employed within the competence center for resilient energy systems, co-financed by the Swedish Energy Agency. Simon publishes both in innovation management and energy related journals. Simon also resides as representative of Systems Innovation Energy Hub, an online network promoting the methods of systems thinking to support the energy transition; and acts as an expert advisor in foresight and systems mapping of the energy sector and system. 

Ivona Bravić, LBD Beratungsgesellschaft mbH, Mollstraße 32, 10249 Berlin, Germany.

Ivona Bravić holds a PhD in Physics from the University of Cambridge and is currently in a position as Strategic Energy Consultant at the LBD Beratungsgesellschaft, based in Berlin. She is one of the partners of the Systems Innovation Energy Hub and acts as an expert in business development in the renewable energy sector.