Governing the GB digital energy revolution to support net zero by 2050
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Exeter
Department Name: Geography
Abstract
Democratisation of energy, data and algorithms
Energy systems in the UK and beyond are shifting as a result of changes across a number of technological and social dimensions. Broadly, these can be related to '3Ds': Decarbonisation of energy, driven primarily by the need to mitigate against climate change impacts; Decentralisation of energy production, as an outcome of the deepening penetration of small-scale, user-oriented renewable energy technologies; and Digitalisation of energy systems, characterised by an expansion of data collection, analytics, and algorithmic development across a range of applications. The combination of such changes is also likely to impact upon a fourth D: that of Democratisation, in the emergence of a new set of roles and responsibilities for actors within energy systems.
This project will explore what the evolving relationship between Digitalisation and Democratisation in the UK energy system means for attaining positive processes and outcomes in the public interest, and will be structured around the following research questions:
1. How are algorithms changing, or replacing, decision-making throughout the UK energy system?
2. In what ways, and to what extent, does algorithmic or algorithm-informed decision-making interact with public interest issues in moving towards sustainable energy transformation?
3. What does more effective regulation of data and algorithms in the UK energy system look like with reference to existing and new institutional arrangements?
Drawing on and developing current thinking around energy democratisation, the project will involve:
a) Mapping of the evolving landscape in terms of algorithmic decision-making in the energy system.
b) Developing a conceptual framework around which such decision-making can be understood to be interacting and coevolving with discourses around the public interest and energy/data.
c) Engaging with actors from throughout the regulatory landscape to critically analyse current and potential future regulatory landscapes governing processes and outcomes around data-centric energy systems.
Energy systems in the UK and beyond are shifting as a result of changes across a number of technological and social dimensions. Broadly, these can be related to '3Ds': Decarbonisation of energy, driven primarily by the need to mitigate against climate change impacts; Decentralisation of energy production, as an outcome of the deepening penetration of small-scale, user-oriented renewable energy technologies; and Digitalisation of energy systems, characterised by an expansion of data collection, analytics, and algorithmic development across a range of applications. The combination of such changes is also likely to impact upon a fourth D: that of Democratisation, in the emergence of a new set of roles and responsibilities for actors within energy systems.
This project will explore what the evolving relationship between Digitalisation and Democratisation in the UK energy system means for attaining positive processes and outcomes in the public interest, and will be structured around the following research questions:
1. How are algorithms changing, or replacing, decision-making throughout the UK energy system?
2. In what ways, and to what extent, does algorithmic or algorithm-informed decision-making interact with public interest issues in moving towards sustainable energy transformation?
3. What does more effective regulation of data and algorithms in the UK energy system look like with reference to existing and new institutional arrangements?
Drawing on and developing current thinking around energy democratisation, the project will involve:
a) Mapping of the evolving landscape in terms of algorithmic decision-making in the energy system.
b) Developing a conceptual framework around which such decision-making can be understood to be interacting and coevolving with discourses around the public interest and energy/data.
c) Engaging with actors from throughout the regulatory landscape to critically analyse current and potential future regulatory landscapes governing processes and outcomes around data-centric energy systems.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/R513210/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2023 | |||
| 2071894 | Studentship | EP/R513210/1 | 01/10/2018 | 31/12/2023 | Emily Judson |
| Description | Results from the first phase of data collection identified six key governance challenges emerging from energy system digitalisation in the UK. The challenges identified are: gaps in energy data governance, distributional inequality, problems with organisational culture, adverse political effects, regulatory gaps, and new consequences of automation. Identification of these challenges is significant as they hold the potential to impact policy goals in the energy system concerning decarbonisation, decentralisation, (in)equality and value for money. Findings above were used to guide discussions explored in the second phase of research, exploring institutional change in response to governance challenges emerging from energy system digitalisation. Findings of this phase of research are forthcoming and will be communicated in the next 6 months. Findings from this research also informed a journal paper, published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, exploring energy system decentralisation (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109499). The paper has been cited 9 times since its publication in February 2020. |
| Exploitation Route | Findings outlined above may be of use to academic, policy, regulatory and industry professionals working in energy sector decarbonisation and digitalisation. Efforts have been made to develop networks in these areas, and to communicate findings accordingly - including through the report linked above, social media, responses to government consultations, and attendance to industry workshops and events held as part of policy development processes. The research area speaks to a current window of active debate and policy-formation, therefore engagement and research communication with the public policy sector has been a priority. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Energy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://geography.exeter.ac.uk/media/universityofexeter/schoolofgeography/images/researchgroups/epg/Digital_Energy_Governance_Challenges_-_Discussion_Paper_-_FINAL.pdf |
| Description | My research findings have primarily had impact in the public policy sphere. The research is participatory and has involved policy and regulatory professionals/organisations at all stages. This has enabled me to build good networks and to communicate my findings to these audiences. I have been invited to contribute to a number of policy workshops on the basis of my research expertise. My research has also had media impact: a summary of my findings related to governance challenges was featured in the industry publication Energy Spectrum (print and webinar and I was recently interviewed by ITV South West as part of a segment on the environmental and energy demand impacts of digital technologies. I was also interviewed as part of an online course delivered by my research group, hosted on Futurelearn. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Energy,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |