Barriers to Energy Efficiency from a Sociotechnical Perspective

Pan

The Journal of Environment & Development

et al. 2017

The Chinese government attempts to use market-oriented measures, such as energy performance contracts (EPCs) rather than mere policy mandates, to encourage manufacturers to voluntarily adopt green technologies. However, the low use rate of EPCs in existing diffusion projects calls for an in-depth examination. This article, therefore, aims to investigate the adoption risks that thwart key stakeholders, as well as the stakeholders' trust that may mitigate the aforementioned risks, through a case study of the national-level diffusion project. Using network analysis, this study identifies four critical risks that are associated to key stakeholders, that is, information asymmetry, funding support, payback period savings potential, and technical competences. Furthermore, it discloses the linkages between stakeholders' trust perceptions and the aforementioned risks. This outcome gives us new insights about what can be improved to better promote EPCs in diffusion projects on a national scale.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder Risk and Trust Perceptions in the Diffusion of Green Manufacturing Technologies: Evidence From China

Pan

The Journal of Environment & Development

et al. 2017

“…Previous studies of energy efficiency in the industry demonstrate that energy efficiency is primarily a management issue, as it is only when the management level in an organization prioritizes energy efficiency that substantial purposeful activities occur (Thollander and Palm, 2013; Thollander and Palm, 2015; Sorrell, 2015; Christoffersen et al , 2006). Networking between companies has proven to be important for effective energy management (Apeaning and Thollander, 2013; Thollander and Ottosson, 2008; Trianni et al , 2013; Christoffersen et al , 2006; Johansson, 2015; Russell, 2005).…”

Section: Industrial Energy Efficiency and Policy Networkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Evaluations of Swedish industrial energy-efficiency programmes find that only approximately 40 per cent of potentially financially viable energy-efficiency measures are implemented (Trygg et al , 2010). Many studies identify great potential to reduce both industrial energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (Harris et al , 2000; Schleich, 2004; Thollander et al , 2007; Thollander and Palm, 2013; Lunt et al , 2014; Johansson, 2015; Barbetta et al , 2015; Trianni and Cagno, 2012). Although this is an important issue, it is not something that generally falls within the purview of local governments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Policy network creation as a driver of energy-efficient industry

Palm

Backman

2017

IJESM

Self Cite

Purpose This paper studies a Swedish municipality that wants to go beyond its own operations, involving the local industry in saving energy to improve the environment. The paper aims to analyse the experiences and practical implications of using policy networks for implementing energy-efficiency measures in private industrial companies. Design/methodology/approach The researchers closely followed a Swedish municipality and its work to engage the local industry in energy-efficiency activities. Participatory observations of meetings and workshops and semi-structured interviews with involved actors were conducted. Findings The study examines a Swedish municipality that has started addressing energy efficiency in local businesses by creating a network involving 60 companies. This network was tested in relation to four hypotheses on how policy networks develop. The study finds that the network has too broad a problem definition, which does not help unify the involved actors. The companies’ involvement is based on passive participation in which they are receivers of information. The network has been unable to use a social control mechanism because there have been few company-to-company meetings. In conclusion, for a network to be an efficient policy tool, its structure is as important as the ideas for action and clear goals. Research limitations/implications This case study of one Swedish municipality allows for analytical but not statistical generalization. Originality/value The paper uniquely calls for reflection on whether municipalities and local authorities have enough competence to drive industrial energy efficiency.

Construction Research Congress 2014

“…Since these low carbon products and processes should be integrated into end-users' lifestyle, behavioral changes would be made accordingly (Ellegård and Palm, 2011). While it is perceived that energy saving through end-user behavioral changes may have larger potentials than generally assumed (Sunikka-Blank and Galvin, 2012), pervasive changes in end-users' energy behaviors are found tremendously difficult (Axsen and Kurani, 2012) due to the inertia (Jensen, 2005) and possible risks (Thollander and Palm, 2013). These barriers would be furthermore accentuated by the information and communication gaps between end-users and other stakeholders, e.g.…”

Section: Reducing Demandmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These barriers would be furthermore accentuated by the information and communication gaps between end-users and other stakeholders, e.g. construction professionals (Newsham et al, 2009), manufacturers and suppliers (Thollander and Palm, 2013) and government agencies (Ellegård and Palm, 2011). Moreover, due to a high degree of heterogeneity across end-users (Ma et al, 2013), the effects of the practical on behavioral changes vary considerably (Ellegård and Palm, 2011), which often renders the technical solutions less effective.…”

Section: Reducing Demandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transition from Low-rise to High-rise Zero Carbon Buildings: The Potential of Socio-Technical Systems

Pan

Ning

2014

Most Zero Carbon Buildings (ZCBs) to date are of low-rise, with high-rise often considered impossible to achieve zero carbon due to enormous difficulties in socio-technical perspectives. This paper aims to explore the future of high-rise towards zero carbon drawing on the theory of socio-technical systems. Grounded on this theory, ZCBs are examined as social-technical systems and the technologies and key stakeholders are embedded in the social, cultural and political environments. The research was carried out through a case study of the first ZCB of three stories in Hong Kong and a workshop with the key stakeholders of buildings. It was found that the delivery solution of the case ZCB was considered to be technically infeasible for new buildings in Hong Kong of typical 40 stories due to geographic constraints. The use of emerging technologies must be explored for enhanced technical feasibility. The split among contributions of end-users, the building industry and the energy sector to carbon emission reductions was considered crucial to developing a practical ZCB definition for Hong Kong. Approaches based on socio-technical systems should help influence end-users' attitudes towards reducing energy consumption, and enable integrated project delivery of high-rise buildings towards zero carbon.