Flexible electricity consumption policies in Norway and Sweden : Implications for energy justice
(2024) In Energy Research and Social Science 110.- Abstract
Policies for shifting household electricity load are in focus in several countries, aimed at optimizing grid operation and tackling current and expected challenges from consumption patterns, like increased peak loads on the grid. Central here are recent developments in capacity charges, where the use of significant amounts of grid capacity is priced high, compared to the traditional pricing of electricity consumption. These capacity charges tend to be developed at the interface between system needs and incumbent actor influence from the sector on the one side, and arguments for a ‘just’ and consumer-oriented design, like simplicity and actual effect on behaviour, on the other. Comparing the consultation processes concerning policy... (More)
Policies for shifting household electricity load are in focus in several countries, aimed at optimizing grid operation and tackling current and expected challenges from consumption patterns, like increased peak loads on the grid. Central here are recent developments in capacity charges, where the use of significant amounts of grid capacity is priced high, compared to the traditional pricing of electricity consumption. These capacity charges tend to be developed at the interface between system needs and incumbent actor influence from the sector on the one side, and arguments for a ‘just’ and consumer-oriented design, like simplicity and actual effect on behaviour, on the other. Comparing the consultation processes concerning policy design in Norway and Sweden, this study investigates if and how these capacity charge policies consider consumer perspectives and needs, and explores the implications for energy justice. The two countries have similar tariff models, but differing consumer considerations have become apparent. In both countries, the policy process has been dominated by sector incumbent actors; the consumer considerations that were included were weak, general, and not grounded in knowledge. Consumer representation has been low. In this study, we note the implications for recognition, procedural, and distributional justice. Our findings indicate the need for further development of balanced policy processes within the energy sector.
(Less)
- author
- Inderberg, Tor Håkon Jackson ; Palm, Jenny LU and Matthiasen, Eivind Hjort
- publishing date
- 2024-04
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Consumer influence, Demand-side management, Electricity tariffs, Energy justice, Policy design, Vulnerable consumers
- in
- Energy Research and Social Science
- volume
- 110
- article number
- 103466
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:85184762601
- ISSN
- 2214-6296
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103466
- project
- Flexible electricity use in households: barriers, opportunities and effects
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- no
- additional info
- Funding Information: Many thanks to Madeleine Wahlund for contributing to the first coding of the interviews. Thanks also to three anonymous reviewers for constructive input to the manuscript during the review process. We are grateful to the Research Council of Norway for supporting the study under Grant Nos. 294687 , 295704 , 302576 , and 336235 . Publisher Copyright: © 2024 Elsevier Ltd
- id
- d9c7637a-db18-44dc-8c5c-e005cf3f4f29
- date added to LUP
- 2024-02-21 12:46:38
- date last changed
- 2024-03-06 13:59:35
@article{d9c7637a-db18-44dc-8c5c-e005cf3f4f29,
abstract = {{<p>Policies for shifting household electricity load are in focus in several countries, aimed at optimizing grid operation and tackling current and expected challenges from consumption patterns, like increased peak loads on the grid. Central here are recent developments in capacity charges, where the use of significant amounts of grid capacity is priced high, compared to the traditional pricing of electricity consumption. These capacity charges tend to be developed at the interface between system needs and incumbent actor influence from the sector on the one side, and arguments for a ‘just’ and consumer-oriented design, like simplicity and actual effect on behaviour, on the other. Comparing the consultation processes concerning policy design in Norway and Sweden, this study investigates if and how these capacity charge policies consider consumer perspectives and needs, and explores the implications for energy justice. The two countries have similar tariff models, but differing consumer considerations have become apparent. In both countries, the policy process has been dominated by sector incumbent actors; the consumer considerations that were included were weak, general, and not grounded in knowledge. Consumer representation has been low. In this study, we note the implications for recognition, procedural, and distributional justice. Our findings indicate the need for further development of balanced policy processes within the energy sector.</p>}},
author = {{Inderberg, Tor Håkon Jackson and Palm, Jenny and Matthiasen, Eivind Hjort}},
issn = {{2214-6296}},
keywords = {{Consumer influence; Demand-side management; Electricity tariffs; Energy justice; Policy design; Vulnerable consumers}},
language = {{eng}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Energy Research and Social Science}},
title = {{Flexible electricity consumption policies in Norway and Sweden : Implications for energy justice}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103466}},
doi = {{10.1016/j.erss.2024.103466}},
volume = {{110}},
year = {{2024}},
}