The Factors of Local Energy Transition in the Seoul Metropolitan Government: The Case of Mini-PV Plants

Abstract

Abstract:As a way of enhancing urban sustainability, Seoul Special City, the capital of South Korea, has shown strong enthusiasm for urban energy transition by tackling climate change and expanding renewable energy. The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has adopted the "One Less Nuclear Power Plant (OLNPP)" strategy since April 2012 and specific policy measures, including a mini-photovoltaic (PV) plant program, were introduced to facilitate the energy transition. However, varying degrees of success were achieved by 25 district-level local governments (Gu) with mini-PV plant programs. This study explored the reason why those local governments showed different levels of performance despite the strong will of municipal government (SMG) to implement urban energy transitions through the mini-PV plant program. The tested hypotheses were based on capacity, political context, public awareness and geographical diffusion. The findings indicated that institutional capacity, financial dependence, political orientation and public perception had positively affected the performance of mini-PV plant installation at each district level. Especially, the political will of each district mayor played an important role in the implementation of the policy.

Adaptation of an Insulated Centralized Photovoltaic Outdoor Lighting Installation with Electronic Control System to Improve Service Guarantee in Tropical Latitudes

“…We used this value according to the dimensioning requirements established. In comparison, the solar collection value for the most unfavourable month (December) is a total irradiance of 2.36 kW•h/m 2…”

“…Moreover, retail electricity prices have risen steadily along the last decade in many countries (e.g., by 78% in Spain, 52% in Germany, and 48% in the U.K. in 2018 since 2007) [1]. These facts make the present electricity grid unsustainable in the long term and, therefore, it is necessary to implement energy production from renewable sources on an urban scale to allow energy savings that do not compromise the environment [2].…”

Conceptualizing Niche–Regime Dynamics of Energy Transitions from a Political Economic Perspective: Insights from Community-Led Urban Solar in Seoul

“…Apart from energy-saving initiatives to reduce nuclear reliance, Sungdaegol extended the movement to solar PV installation alongside the OLNPPP. Seoul's citizen-centric approach helped Sungdaegol in establishing its focal Energy Supermarket, in networking academics, solar installers, financial institution, and volunteers to overcome technical, financial, and educational issues from solar installation (Figure 4), and in installing solar PV in some 50 buildings; Sungdaegol's leader participated in the OLNPPP Implementation Committee and the Citizens' Committee of the Seoul Energy Corporation (Interviewee 7b; [50,79]).…”

“…citizen-centric approach helped Sungdaegol in establishing its focal Energy Supermarket, in networking academics, solar installers, financial institution, and volunteers to overcome technical, financial, and educational issues from solar installation (Figure 4), and in installing solar PV in some 50 buildings; Sungdaegol's leader participated in the OLNPPP Implementation Committee and the Citizens' Committee of the Seoul Energy Corporation (Interviewee 7b; [50,79]). Shindaebang Hyundai Apartment is a typical apartment-type energy self-reliant village.…”