The politics of governing ‘system innovations’ towards sustainable electricity systems

摘要: Electricity production and consumption are at the heart of modern life therefore great interest to public policy. Threats such as security supply concerns, volatility fuel electricity prices, especially environmental concerns like climate change, putting increasing pressure on current systems. One key response by governments has been support for innovation. It is widely acknowledged that systems will have change fundamentally in order deliver political goals. This require deep cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Incremental along established technological trajectories unlikely be sufficient. Instead ‘system innovations’ suggested a solution scholars policy makers. What politics an endeavour? To answer this question thesis looks two distinct initiatives promote more sustainable systems: ‘Energy Transition’ project Netherlands ‘Carbon Trust’ UK. While aim similar, they try tackle challenge very different ways. The analysis based semi-structured interviews well review documents secondary literature follows process tracing method, combining within-case cross-case analysis. By utilising framework ‘discursive institutionalism’ (as per Hajer Schmidt) study aims shed light importance both discourses institutional contexts shaping innovations’. demonstrates mechanisms which particular framings problem, expressed through new storylines, come legitimate government policies. emerges existing institutions not only shape storylines politically acceptable but also constitute tangible features organisational technical environment those must change. In conclusion, argues governing can usefully conceptualised explained struggles about meaning. These shaped turn discursive interactions between actors institutions. highlighting interplay discourses, interests institutions, results provide input scholarly debate making alike, ways offer help inform rethinking strategies fostering socio-technical