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Technology is not a Barrier: A Survey of Energy System Technologies Required for Innovative Electricity Business Models Driving the Low Carbon Energy Revolution

Author

Listed:
  • Christoph Mazur

    (Chemical Engineering Department, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
    Grantham Institute—Environment and Climate Change, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK)

  • Stephen Hall

    (School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Jeffrey Hardy

    (Grantham Institute—Environment and Climate Change, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK)

  • Mark Workman

    (Energy Systems Catapult, Birmingham B4 6BS, UK)

Abstract

Energy system decarbonisation and changing consumer behaviours will create and destroy new markets in the electric power sector. This means that the energy industry will have to adapt their business models in order to capture these pools of value. Recent work explores how changes to the utility business model that include digital, decentralised or service-based offers could both disrupt the market and accelerate low carbon transitions. However, it is unclear whether these business models are technologically feasible. To answer this question, we undertook an expert panel study to determine the readiness levels of key enabling technologies. The result is an analysis of what technologies may hinder electricity business model innovation and where more research or development is necessary. The study shows that none of the business models that are compatible with a low carbon power sector are facing technology barriers that cannot be overcome, but there is still work to be done in the domain of system integration. We conclude that, especially in the field of energy system coordination and operation, there is a need for comprehensive demonstration trials which can iteratively combine and test information and communications technology (ICT) solutions. This form of innovation support would require a new approach to energy system trials.

Suggested Citation

  • Christoph Mazur & Stephen Hall & Jeffrey Hardy & Mark Workman, 2019. "Technology is not a Barrier: A Survey of Energy System Technologies Required for Innovative Electricity Business Models Driving the Low Carbon Energy Revolution," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-13, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:428-:d:201811
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    Cited by:

    1. Watson, Nicole E. & Huebner, Gesche M. & Fell, Michael J. & Shipworth, David, 2020. "Two energy suppliers are better than one: Survey experiments on consumer engagement with local energy in GB," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    2. Danlu Xu & Zhoubin Liu & Rui Shan & Haixiao Weng & Haoyu Zhang, 2023. "How a Grid Company Could Enter the Hydrogen Industry through a New Business Model: A Case Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-21, March.
    3. Böhringer, Christoph & Cantner, Uwe & Costard, Jano & Kramkowski, Lea-Victoria & Gatzen, Christoph & Pietsch, Sven, 2020. "Innovation for the German energy transition - Insights from an expert survey," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    4. Aleksandra Kekkonen & Renee Pesor & Marge Täks, 2023. "Stepping towards the Green Transition: Challenges and Opportunities of Estonian Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-27, February.
    5. María-José Prados & Marta Pallarès-Blanch & Ramón García-Marín & Carolina del Valle, 2021. "Renewable Energy Plants and Business Models: A New Rural Development Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-19, September.
    6. Watson, Nicole Elizabeth & Huebner, Gesche & Fell, Michael James & Shipworth, David, 2020. "Two energy suppliers are better than one: survey experiments on consumer engagement with local energy in GB," SocArXiv e9nyu, Center for Open Science.

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