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Changing Technology or Behavior? The Impacts of a Behavioral Disruption

Author

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  • Marianne Pedinotti-Castelle

    (Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory on Sustainable Engineering and Ecodesign (LIRIDE), Civil Engineering Department, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada)

  • Pierre-Olivier Pineau

    (Chair in Energy Sector Management, HEC Montréal, 3000 Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada)

  • Kathleen Vaillancourt

    (Esmia Consultants, Montreal, Blainville, QC J7B 6B4, Canada)

  • Ben Amor

    (Interdisciplinary Research Laboratory on Sustainable Engineering and Ecodesign (LIRIDE), Civil Engineering Department, University of Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC J1K 2R1, Canada)

Abstract

Transportation is a key factor in the fight against climate change. Consumer behavior changes in transportation are underrepresented in energy policies, even if they could be essential to achieve the fixed GHG emission reduction targets. To help quantify the role of behaviors in energy transition and their implications on the dynamics of an energy system, this study is conducted using the North American TIMES Energy Model, adapted to Quebec (Canada). A behavioral disruption scenario (an increase in carpooling) is introduced in the model’s transportation sector and is compared to a massive electrification scenario. Our results highlight the fact that a behavioral disruption can lead to the same GHG emission reductions (65%) by 2050 as an electrification policy, while alleviating different efforts (such as additional electrical capacity and additional costs) associated with massive electrification. Moreover, the results are sensitive to behavior-related parameters, such as social discount rates and car lifetimes.

Suggested Citation

  • Marianne Pedinotti-Castelle & Pierre-Olivier Pineau & Kathleen Vaillancourt & Ben Amor, 2021. "Changing Technology or Behavior? The Impacts of a Behavioral Disruption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:11:p:5861-:d:560545
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pedinotti-Castelle, Marianne & Pineau, Pierre-Olivier & Vaillancourt, Kathleen & Amor, Ben, 2022. "Freight transport modal shifts in a TIMES energy model: Impacts of endogenous and exogenous modeling choice," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).

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