The impossible energy trinity: Energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty in cross-border electricity systems

Thaler, Philipp; Hofmann, Benjamin

doi:10.1016/j.polgeo.2021.102579

Cited by 29 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…highlight the role of neoliberal market philosophy (Stigler, 1971), trace the development of interdependence (Keohane & Nye, 1989;Stigler, 1971) and the role of energy sovereignty (Graf, 2018;Sampson, 1975;Thaler & Hofmann, 2022). The argument in this paper recognises that energy is more than another commodity (Goldthau & Sitter, 2015b, p. 4).…”

Section: Conclusion: From Dependency To Interdependencymentioning

confidence: 86%

“…Energy security, sovereignty, interdependence and economic relations are necessary to transform energy into a weapon. This interrelationship reflects Thaler and Hofmann's 'energy trinity' which highlights the interrelationship between energy sovereignty, energy security and the more recent development of environmentally 'sustainable' energy (Thaler & Hofmann, 2022). Certainly, a more futuristic view of these interrelationships with energy statecraft can address climate change (Dalby, 2018;Sovacool et al, 2023), particularly when justifying the use of Russian gas in the EU (discussed next).…”

Section: Conclusion: From Dependency To Interdependencymentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Instead, it solidified progress already underway in gas, oil and nuclear power (Bösch, 2014, p. 182) between the Soviet Union, its satellites and Western Europe, delivering politically significant changes during the Cold War (Bösch, 2014, p. 167). Drawing on this linear history will provide a macro perspective on energy security (Cherp & Jewell, 2011; Szulecki, 2018b), highlight the role of neoliberal market philosophy (Stigler, 1971), trace the development of interdependence (Keohane & Nye, 1989; Stigler, 1971) and the role of energy sovereignty (Graf, 2018; Sampson, 1975; Thaler & Hofmann, 2022). The argument in this paper recognises that energy is more than another commodity (Goldthau & Sitter, 2015b, p. 4).…”

Section: Western Oil Dependencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Russia fell into the same trap as the Arab countries in the 1970s, believing that constraining supplies would enable their militarised aims to succeed. Secession from fossil fuels enables a new energy security paradigm reliant on new interdependencies with those committed to affordable and sustainable energy production (Scholten et al, 2020; Sovacool et al, 2023; Thaler & Hofmann, 2022). This paradigm delivers the power to change rather than the power to dominate.…”

Section: Conclusion: the Power To Changementioning

confidence: 99%

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Energy as a weapon of war: Lessons from 50 years of energy interdependence

LaBelle

2023

Global Policy

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The Organization of the Petroleum‐Exporting Countries (OPEC) used oil as a weapon against Western countries supporting Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. From 2021, Russia used a similar strategy of restricting gas flows to Europe, while Europe later reduced Russia's market access. In these cases, there was economic and political damage. These examples show that energy is a weapon used to pressure sovereign states. Energy is a multidimensional resource that reflects broader ties within the political‐economic system of international relations. This comparative study identifies four components that enable energy as a weapon: interdependence, energy security, neoliberal economics and sovereignty. Four key policy lessons emerge to improve energy security: (1) determine the acceptable limits of energy dependence, (2) acknowledge institutions and markets cannot deliver energy security outside their design parameters, (3) energy security requires addressing the entire value chain, and (4) energy is a weapon that threatens state sovereignty. The collapse of the gas trade between Russia and the EU creates instability and removes the pillar of interdependency; this now ushers in a new era.

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Section: Conclusion: From Dependency To Interdependencymentioning

confidence: 86%

Section: Conclusion: From Dependency To Interdependencymentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Western Oil Dependencementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Conclusion: the Power To Changementioning

confidence: 99%

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Energy as a weapon of war: Lessons from 50 years of energy interdependence

LaBelle

2023

Global Policy

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“…Cross-border electricity transfer is one major option to meet the challenge of fluctuating domestic RE generation and to secure electricity supply (Haque et al, 2020;Singh, 2013;Thaler & Hofmann, 2022). In this context, the electricity grid 119 5…”

Section: Review Of the Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

Economics of sustainable electricity supply: The German electricity market

Coester¹

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The industrial activities that our modern civilization depends upon have increased CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions significantly. There is considerable consensus that this increase in emissions has been contributing to climate change. In order to limit global warming, a comprehensive and fast transition to lower emissions in all industrial sectors is crucial. Despite the strong increase in renewable energies capacity over the past years, there are various challenges associated with the further transition to a 100% renewable energies supply. One of the challenges is the fluctuating supply of renewable energies due to the intermitted nature of wind and sunshine. Another challenge arises from the low marginal costs of renewable energies that lead to a reduction of the electricity price, which impairs a profitable operation of both conventional and renewable energies power plants. Against this backdrop, the main question of this research is which policy scenario can ensure an economic efficient and ongoing expansion of renewable energies together with a secure level of electricity supply? The research focusses on Germany, as Germany has to find sustainable and economically feasible policy scenarios in the short-term due to its strong expansion of renewable energies and its decision to phase-out both nuclear and coal power plants.

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The role of energy security and economic complexity in renewable energy development: evidence from G7 countries

Chu

2023

Environ Sci Pollut Res

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The impossible energy trinity: Energy security, sustainability, and sovereignty in cross-border electricity systems

Cited by 29 publications

References 59 publications

Energy as a weapon of war: Lessons from 50 years of energy interdependence

Energy as a weapon of war: Lessons from 50 years of energy interdependence

Economics of sustainable electricity supply: The German electricity market

The role of energy security and economic complexity in renewable energy development: evidence from G7 countries

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