INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS

Observing converging infrastructuresA Heuristic for Technology Assessment

Christian Buscher | 4th European Technology Assessment Conference | Bratislava | 06/11/19

KIT – The Research University in the Helmholtz Association

www.kit.edu

How to observe converginginfrastructures?

’’The overall system can be fruitfully described as

posing a linked series of sociotechnical problems.’’

(P. Edwards)

ENERGY AS ASOCIOTECHNICAL PROBLEM

AN INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE ONCONTROL, CHANGE, AND ACTION IN ENERGY

TRANSITIONS

Edited byChristian Büscher, Jens Schippl and Patrick Sumpf

Routledge Studies in Energy Transitions

Buscher, C., Schippl, J., Sumpf, P.: Energy as a

Sociotechnical Problem. An Interdisciplinary

Perspective on Control, Change, and Action in

Energy Transitions. (Routledge, 2018).

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Sociotechnical Problems

Transition

stable

dimensionsexpectations uncertainty

factual control complexity → maintain control

social redundancy variety → instigate change

non-temporal actionability transparency → enable action

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Dimensions of the energycomplex

ENERGYsocial

temporal

fact

ual

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Complexity/ControlENERGY

social

temporal

fact

ual

Options of Sector Coupling in a Decarbonized Energysystem

Photovoltaik Wind Wasser Biomasse Solarthermie Geothermie

Speicher

Elektrolyse

CarbonCapture

H2-Speicher

Power-to-LiquidPower-to-Gas

Wärmepumpe

Kraftwerk mitKraft-Wärme-

Kopplung

Power-to-Heat

Brennstoffzelle

WasserturbineWindturbine Dampf-/Gasturbine Dampfturbine Dampfturbine

NichtenergetischerBrennstoffbedarf

Wärmespeicher

StromWärmeBrennstoffeAbgaseCO2

H2

Elektro-fahrzeuge

Brennstoff-zellen-

fahrzeug

Fahrzeug mit Verbrennungsmotor

Transport

Wärme-pumpe

Brennstoff-zelle

Geo-thermie

Blockheiz-kraftwerk

Solar-thermie

Raumwärme/Warmwasser

Stromnachfrage

Prozesswärme

Verbrennung

Elektrische Induktionund

Widerstandserwärmung

SRU. 2017. Umsteuern erforderlich: Klimaschutz im Verkehrssektor. German Advisory Council on the Environment (SRU), P. 44

Structural Changes SCCentralization/De-Centralization:control of systems, networks ofsystems, networks of networks

Integration/Dis-Integration:vertical ’unbundling’ – horizontal’re-bundling’ (?)

Christian Buscher | 4th European Technology Assessment Conference | Bratislava –Observing converging infrastructures 06/11/19 |5/9

Redundancy/VarietyENERGY

social

temporal

fact

ual

REDUNDANCYhigh low

A. B.

learning experimental

high organization; settings; emergingregime/ niche- technology

constellation fieldsVARIETYC. D.

dominant regimes low degree of

low path dependency organization

lock-ins

Christian Buscher | 4th European Technology Assessment Conference | Bratislava –Observing converging infrastructures 06/11/19 |6/9

Actionability/Non-transparencyENERGY

social

temporal

fact

ual

– Orthogonal Relation: Simultaneous operationof social and technical realities

– Increasing non-transparency and non-knowledge: Simple interface ↔ complicatedphysical and social structures/institutions

⇒ Effects on short term (operating) and long term(investing, planning, governing) decision-making

⇒ Role of social mechanisms: responsibility/liability,trust in systems, etc.

Christian Buscher | 4th European Technology Assessment Conference | Bratislava –Observing converging infrastructures 06/11/19 |7/9

Outlook

Ongoing activities:

– Exploring recent studies

– Operationalization of sociotechnical problems

– Assessment of consequences of SC developments

Planned Activities:

– TATuP Special Issue in 2020

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Studies

– ST1: Ausfelder, F., et al. 2017. “‘Sektorkopplung’ - Untersuchungen und Uberlegungen zur Entwicklung eines integriertenEnergiesystems.” Schriftenreihe Energiesysteme der Zukunft. Munchen.

– ST2: BMUB. 2016. “Klimaschutzplan 2050 – Klimaschutzpolitische Grundsatze und Ziele der Bundesregierung.” Berlin:Bundesministerium fur Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit (BMUB).

– ST3: Henning, Hans-Martin, and Andreas Palzer. 2015. “Was kostet die Energiewende? – Wege zur Transformation desdeutschen Energiesystems bis 2050.” Freiburg: Fraunhofer-Institut fur Solare Energiesysteme ISE.

– ST4: Wietschel, M., et al. 2018. “Sektorkopplung – Definition, Chancen und Herausforderungen.” Working Paper Sustainabilityand Innovation. Fraunhofer ISI.

– ST5: Bauknecht, D., et al. 2018. “Visionen Und Pfadentscheidungen Der Energiewende: Ein Bericht Im Rahmen DesKopernikus-Projekts ENavi.” Potsdam: Geschaftsstelle des Kopernikus-Projekts Energiewende-Navigationssystem — ENavi.

– ST6: Winter, Martin. 2018. “Effiziente Kopplung der Sektoren Energie und Verkehr.” Berlin: Technische Universitat Berlin.

– ST7: Hoffrichter, Albert, and Thorsten Beckers. 2018. “Cross-Border Coordination as a Prerequisite for Efficient SectorCoupling in Interconnected Power Systems. Institutional Economic Considerations on Allocating Decision-MakingCompetencies in the European Union.” Berlin: Technische Universitat Berlin.

– ST8: Canzler, Weert, and Andreas Knie. 2013. Schlaue Netze: wie die Energie- und Verkehrswende gelingt. Munchen:Oekom.

– ST9: Robinius, M., et al. 2017. “Linking the Power and Transport Sectors: Modelling a Sector Coupling Scenario for Germany.”Energies 10 (7): 956.

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