Timothy J. Foxon

Sociopsychological Perspectives on the Active Roles of Domestic Actors in Transition to a Lower Carbon Electricity Economy

This paper explores the active roles that domestic consumers might play in different transition pathways to a lower carbon electricity economy. It begins with a review of psychological and sociological perspectives on the drivers for everyday energy-use patterns, situating these in the context of the body of research on transitions in sociotechnical systems. On the basis of the review, a social-science-based framework is proposed for analysing the active ways in which domestic actors might facilitate or support the transition to a lower carbon economy. Applying the framework to an analysis of centralised and decentralised transitions pathways suggests that domestic actors can play an active role in transition through establishing new routine and conventional uses of energy in everyday life. Domesticating lower carbon technologies such as smart meters and microgeneration equipment supports the disruption of unsustainable energy-using routines and could help to make energy consumption and energy costs more visible and relevant to the everyday lives of domestic users. The findings call attention to the need to consider the wider effects of energy-system transition within and around consumer-oriented lifestyles.

Achieving the G8 50% target: modelling induced and accelerated technological change using the macro-econometric model E3MG

This article assesses the feasibility of a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2050 using a large-scale Post Keynesian simulation model of the global energy—environment—economy system. The main policy to achieve the target is a carbon price rising to

Semiclassical limits of simplicial quantum gravity

100/tCO2 by 2050, attained through auctioned CO2 permits for the energy sector, and carbon taxes for the rest of the economy. This policy induces technological change. However, this price is insufficient, and global CO2 would be only about 15% below 2000 levels by 2050. In order to achieve the target, additional policies have been modelled in a portfolio, with the auction and tax revenues partly recycled to support investment in low-GHG technologies in energy, manufacturing and transportation, and ‘no-regrets’ options for buildings. This direct support supplements the effects of the increases in carbon prices, so that the accelerated adoption of new technologies leads to lower unit costs. In addition the

Urban Infrastructure Dynamics: Market Regulation and the Shaping of District Energy in UK Cities

100/tCO2 price is reached earlier, by 2030, strengthening the price signal. In a low-carbon society, as modelled, GDP is slightly above the baseline as a consequence of more rapid development induced by more investment and increased technological change.

Governing Infrastructure Networks For A Low Carbon Economy: Co-Evolution Of Technologies And Institutions In Uk Electricity Distribution Networks

We consider the simplicial state sum model of Ponzano and Regge as a path integral for quantum gravity in three dimensions. We examine the Lorentzian geometry of a single 3-simplex and of a simplicial manifold, and interpret an asymptotic formula for 6j-symbols in terms of this geometry. This extends Ponzano and Regges similar interpretation for Euclidian geometry. We give a geometric interpretation of the stationary points of this state sum, by showing that, at these points, the simplicial manifold may be mapped locally into flat Lorentzian or Euclidian space. This lends weight to the interpretation of the state sum as a path integral, which has solutions corresponding to both Lorentzian and Euclidian gravity in three dimensions.

Technological Lock-In

This paper explores the interaction between urban-scale energy infrastructure and the regulatory regime which underpins the liberalisation of energy systems. Using the example of district energy in a number of UK cities, we outline the ways in which the structure of national electricity markets and the activities of the energy regulator influence and shape the development of low-carbon infrastructure in cities. We draw upon recent contributions to the sociotechnical systems literature which highlights the role of cities in shaping infrastructure transitions and argue that the influence of sector regulation has been underrepresented and underexplored. Our study points to significant tensions and misalignments between a regulatory regime designed to promote economic efficiencies in incumbent national infrastructure sectors and the development of district energy systems at the urban scale. We propose that regulation needs to evolve from its traditional emphasis on promoting competition and short-term efficiencies towards a more dynamic model which is open to alternative logics and low-carbon transition pathways.

Spin networks, Turaev-Viro theory and the loop representation

This paper analyses efforts to promote innovation in the UK energy networks sector. Using a case study approach, we chart the co-evolution between technologies and institutions in electricity distribution networks since the introduction of privatization and market liberalization over twenty years ago. It is observed that as a result of macro level institutional dynamics, innovation has become an increasingly important policy and regulatory goal. However, efforts to promote radical and architectural innovation, such as the transition to a smart grid, face significant barriers at the firm and sector levels. It is argued that changes are required to the formal and informal institutions which govern the sector in order to promote a more coherent relationship between technological and institutional change, leading to a productive innovation system which allows firms to collaborate across the electricity value chain and develop inter-firm/cross sector innovation partnerships.

Policy implications from the Low-Carbon Society (LCS) modelling project

Abstract Technological lock-in is the idea that, as economic and cultural advantages accrue to existing incumbent technologies, barriers are created to the adoption of potentially superior or at least as valuable alternatives. This occurs because technological innovation and deployment are path dependent and take place under conditions of uncertainty. Technologies coevolve with supporting institutions, business strategies, and user practices; and individuals, firms, and governments are subject to bounded rationality. This implies that the path of technology deployment is sensitive to particular choices and events, and to expectations of future potential. Research is reviewed, arguing that current high-carbon fossil-fuel-based energy technologies are in a state of ‘carbon lock-in,’ creating barriers to the adoption of low-carbon alternatives. Finally, some potential approaches and challenges to overcoming this carbon lock-in are assessed.

SWARD: decision support processes for the UK water industry

We investigate the Ponzano-Regge and Turaev-Viro topological quantum field theories using spin networks and their q-deformed analogues. We propose a new description of the state space for the Turaev-Viro theory in terms of skein space, to which q-spin networks belong, and give a similar description of the Ponzano-Regge state space using spin networks. We give a definition of the inner product on the skein space and show that this corresponds to the topological inner product, defined as the manifold invariant for the union of two 3-manifolds. Finally, we look at the relation with the loop representation of quantum general relativity, due to Rovelli and Smolin, and suggest that the above inner product may define an inner product on the loop state space.

Making more sustainable decisions for asset investment in the water industry - sustainable water industry asset resource decisions - the SWARD project

Under the Japan—UK research project ‘Low-Carbon Society (LCS) Scenarios Towards 2050’, an international modelling comparison was undertaken by nine national teams, with a strong developing-country focus. Core model runs were a Base case, a Carbon price case (rising to