Effect of institutions on energy efficiency in the long-term (provisional)
Lead Research Organisation:
London School of Economics and Political Science
Department Name: Geography and Environment
Abstract
The concept of energy efficiency has been used by scholars to identify the amount of energy used in the production of a specific service, like lighting or heating. Technologies which are energy-efficient are an essential component of a consistent strategy to confront climate change and to promote green growth.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Roger Fouquet (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Giorgia Cecchinato (Student) |
| Description | As a PhD candidate in Environmental Economics with a background in Economic History, the aim of my research is to make use of historical data observations to generate useful insights about the past and current energy transitions. In specific, I have tried to focus on: (1) Long-term trends in energy generation and use. (2) The role of technological change in driving the abovementioned trends. In this summary, I will highlight three key findings. The two general key findings are the outcome of my search for a suitable research methodology. The specific key finding is the outcome of my research into long-term trends in energy efficiency. General key findings: - Our society collective response to climate change needs to be informed by past energy transitions. So far, comprehensive theories about past energy transitions have only been developed by historians and social scientists with the use of qualitative methodologies. - Therefore, a new interdisciplinary methodology is needed to address questions which: o have long-term dynamics: o focus on the interaction between society, technology and the ecosystem. - To address these new research questions while integrating the new theory in the latest developments in economic theory, we need to create new metrics which will allow us to measure change over the long term. To do so, we need to generate and digitise vast amounts of data which are currently only accessible by archival research. Specific key finding: - To study energy efficiency in the long-term means focusing on the development of specific technologies which allowed our society to become more energy efficient. - Given the lack of data for specific technologies in the very long-term, the best approach is to focus on a specific technology, collect the data, and then observe its development. - Trying to fill a gap in the current literature and driven by current research in development economics and impact evaluation, my research focuses on the development of one specific technology: the power grid. - In economics, the power grid has been understood as a mean towards electrification. Therefore, its development has been equated to the increase in electricity access. Impact evaluation studies of electricity access are now leading most of the economic research with respect to the power grid. - Nonetheless, there is a different way to look at the power grid: it can be understood as a changing technology which helps our society to adapt to a different economic system. - Next steps will involve the collection of data and the design of suitable metrics. |
| Exploitation Route | Once my research project will be on a more advanced stage, my research findings will be useful for these sectors: 1) In the Energy sector, outcomes could be used to inform policy about grid expansion (developing economies) and transition to a smart grid. 2) In the Environment sector, outcomes could be used to inform policy about future energy consumption (due to a specific technology trajectory) and therefore emissions. 4) In Government, outcomes could be used to design better policy, especially with regards to procurement in the energy sector. |
| Sectors | Education Energy Environment Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections |