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The Role of Policy Innovation and Policy Mixes for Low-Carbon Transformations in Energy and Mobility

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2020) | Viewed by 22632

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Paula Kivimaa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
SPRU and Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand, University of Sussex, Falmer, East Sussex, England; Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, Helsinki, Finland
Interests: climate and energy policy; policy evaluation; sustainability transitions; innovation policy; policy integration and coherence; policy experiments
Dr. Marc Dijk

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
International Centre of Integrated Assessment and Sustainable Development (ICIS), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Interests: innovation and innovation policy; sustainability assessment; socio-technical transition, car mobility; urban mobility, urban experimenting

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

Recent changes in energy and mobility systems, embracing sustainability goals but also significantly influenced by rapid developments in IT and digitalization, create new needs and demands for public policy. Such demands include, for example, more coherent policy frameworks across administrative domains and levels, phase-out and exnovation policies, and innovative policies to tackle the persistent problems caused by high-carbon societies. As novel integrated business models for the provision of mobility or energy services increasingly involve cross-sector innovation (coupling, e.g., energy, transport, construction, finance, and information technology), the role of ‘real-world’ policy mixes (cf. Flanagan et al., 2011) becomes more significant than before. Such policy mixes cross administrative domains and levels, and need to be adjusted to support sustainability transitions through coherent and consistent policymaking (cf. Kivimaa and Kern, 2016; Rogge et al., 2017). New insights are needed in real time as new systemic innovations and integrated services emerge. Recent research also highlights the importance of policy innovation (Jordan and Huitema, 2014) and policy and governance experimentation (Turnheim et al., 2018) to tackle the climate change challenge. Empirical accounts of such innovations and experimentations are needed to shed light into what they look like, what they have enabled, and how might they fit within existing policy mixes in support of sustainable low-carbon transitions.

Dr. Paula Kivimaa
Dr. Marc Dijk
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • policy innovation
  • policy experiments
  • policy mix
  • energy policy
  • transport policy
  • sustainability transitions
  • low-carbon innovation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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6 pages, 150 KiB  
Editorial
Introduction to the Special Issue: Policy for Low-Carbon Transformations
by Marc Dijk and Paula Kivimaa
Energies 2020, 13(18), 4633; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13184633 - 06 Sep 2020
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1521
Abstract
Gradual changes in energy and mobility systems in recent decades have triggered new and significant policy challenges [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Policy Innovation and Policy Mixes for Low-Carbon Transformations in Energy and Mobility)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

16 pages, 571 KiB  
Article
Stakeholders’ Views on Multimodal Urban Mobility Futures: A Matter of Policy Interventions or Just the Logical Result of Digitalization?
by Jens Schippl and Annika Arnold
Energies 2020, 13(7), 1788; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13071788 - 08 Apr 2020
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3131
Abstract
It is widely acknowledged that strategies to decarbonize energy systems cannot omit the mobility sector. For several decades, particularly in urban areas, a shift from car-based mobility to more environmental-friendly modes has been high on political agendas. Progress has been made in many [...] Read more.
It is widely acknowledged that strategies to decarbonize energy systems cannot omit the mobility sector. For several decades, particularly in urban areas, a shift from car-based mobility to more environmental-friendly modes has been high on political agendas. Progress has been made in many urban areas, but so far only in small, rather incremental steps. The dominance of the car has remained largely stable in urban transport. For some time now, many experts have argued that processes of digitalization will co-evolve with societal trends and lead to multimodal urban mobility regimes in which private car usage will lose its dominance. In this paper, we examine if stakeholders active in the field believe that, despite digitalization, policy interventions are essential to achieve such a transition. The analysis draws on concepts from transition research and is based on 10 semi-structured interviews with providers of innovative mobility services that may contribute to more multimodal urban mobility systems. Geographical focus is on the City of Stuttgart (Germany). Results indicate broad agreement amongst the interviewees that digitalization alone is not sufficient for achieving a full-scale transition towards multimodal urban mobility. Policy measures that restrict car-based mobility would also be needed. However, many of the interviewed actors doubt that the essential policy mixes will find the necessary political and societal acceptance. Finally, the paper indicates ways to overcome this dilemma. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Policy Innovation and Policy Mixes for Low-Carbon Transformations in Energy and Mobility)
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24 pages, 4261 KiB  
Article
Coal Demand and Environmental Regulations: A Case Study of the Polish Power Sector
by Przemysław Kaszyński and Jacek Kamiński
Energies 2020, 13(6), 1521; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13061521 - 23 Mar 2020
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 2840
Abstract
The impact of environmental regulations implemented in the power industry that affect the consumption of solid fuels is of key importance to coal-based power generation systems, such as that in Poland. In this context, the main purpose of the paper was to determine [...] Read more.
The impact of environmental regulations implemented in the power industry that affect the consumption of solid fuels is of key importance to coal-based power generation systems, such as that in Poland. In this context, the main purpose of the paper was to determine the future demand for hard coal and brown coal in the Polish power sector by 2050 with reference to the environmental regulations implemented in the power sector. To achieve these goals, a mathematical model was developed using the linear programming approach, which reflected the key relationships between the hard and brown coal mining sector and the power sector in the context of the environmental regulations discussed. The environmental regulations selected had a great influence on the future demand for hard and brown coal in the power generation sector. The scope of this influence depended on particular regulations. The prices of CO2 emission allowances and stricter emissions standards stemming from the Industrial Emissions Directive and the BAT (Best Available Techniques) conclusions had the largest influence on the reduction of hard coal demand. In the case of brown coal, no new power generating units would be deployed; hence, brown coal consumption would drop practically to zero in 2050 under all the scenarios considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Policy Innovation and Policy Mixes for Low-Carbon Transformations in Energy and Mobility)
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14 pages, 278 KiB  
Article
‘Sticky’ Policies—Three Country Cases on Long-Term Commitment and Rooting of RE Policy Goals
by Annukka Berg, Jani Lukkarinen and Kimmo Ollikka
Energies 2020, 13(6), 1351; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13061351 - 14 Mar 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3702
Abstract
Denmark, Germany, and Finland are countries that have emerged as technology leaders in key renewable energy fields—wind energy, solar power, and bioenergy. In this article, we dig into the policy trajectories of these countries and concentrate particularly on a phenomenon that is common [...] Read more.
Denmark, Germany, and Finland are countries that have emerged as technology leaders in key renewable energy fields—wind energy, solar power, and bioenergy. In this article, we dig into the policy trajectories of these countries and concentrate particularly on a phenomenon that is common for them all—the long-term commitment to promoting particular renewable energy (RE) technologies. Analyzing commitment, its causes and its consequences, can be considered important, as earlier findings show that long-term, consistent policy signals are a key for policy success. In this article, we point out that this ‘sticking’ to a RE technology has emerged and manifested in multiple ways in the case countries. Examples include relying on existing cultural capacities when navigating energy policy direction, strategically promoting scaling of technology markets to root new energy practices in society and developing energy policies as an extension of existing socio-technical structures. In order to understand these dynamics in more depth, we utilize literature on policy robustness and resilience. While all the case countries, Denmark, Germany, and Finland, have generated robust RE policy goals, Finland has failed to foster resilience simultaneously. We conclude that analysing stickiness of policy elements can be fruitful when seeking to understand and design transformative policies. Further, it can be taken as a complementary analytical perspective in the policy mix studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Policy Innovation and Policy Mixes for Low-Carbon Transformations in Energy and Mobility)
20 pages, 788 KiB  
Article
Forks in the Road to E-Mobility: An Evaluation of Instrument Interaction in National Policy Mixes in Northwest Europe
by Marc Dijk, Eric Iversen, Antje Klitkou, René Kemp, Simon Bolwig, Mads Borup and Peter Møllgaard
Energies 2020, 13(2), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13020475 - 18 Jan 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4061
Abstract
This paper evaluates how policy shaped the emergence of electric mobility in three countries, Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark, between 2010 and 2015. Whereas previous studies have looked at the effects of separate policy instruments, this paper gives insights in the interaction effects [...] Read more.
This paper evaluates how policy shaped the emergence of electric mobility in three countries, Norway, the Netherlands and Denmark, between 2010 and 2015. Whereas previous studies have looked at the effects of separate policy instruments, this paper gives insights in the interaction effects of instruments on the diffusion of battery electric cars between five policy areas. Based on analysis of synergetic, contradictory and pre-conditional effects, we find that an effective policy mix includes: fiscal incentives that mirror the actual carbon footprint of the respective vehicles; non-fiscal demand-side incentives; centrally financed and/or coordinated charging infrastructure; clarity regarding the choice of technology that will be supported. Moreover, development of a domestic, e-mobility-related industry and a high share of renewable energy strengthens the legitimization of e-mobility support. The findings help designing policy mixes in the transition to electric mobility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Policy Innovation and Policy Mixes for Low-Carbon Transformations in Energy and Mobility)
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17 pages, 1871 KiB  
Article
Investigating Policy Instrument Adoption in Low-Carbon City Development: A Case Study from China
by Qingduo Mao, Ben Ma, Hongshuai Wang and Qi Bian
Energies 2019, 12(18), 3475; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12183475 - 09 Sep 2019
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3003
Abstract
Based on policy instrument theory and a case of low-carbon city development (Qihe County in Shandong), this study examined the policy instruments adopted for low-carbon city development in China and the effectiveness of these instruments. All the policies adopted by the piloted city [...] Read more.
Based on policy instrument theory and a case of low-carbon city development (Qihe County in Shandong), this study examined the policy instruments adopted for low-carbon city development in China and the effectiveness of these instruments. All the policies adopted by the piloted city from 2008 and 2014 were collected, coded, and analyzed. A two-dimensional analytical framework was developed based on a trichotomous policy instrument categorization and low-carbon city connotation. The results showed that the key goal of China’s low-carbon city construction is to develop low-carbon technology and low-carbon energy. Compulsory policy instruments are the most used and most effective, while voluntary policy instruments are rarely used. Further results indicated that when the ratio of compulsory instruments and mixed instruments comes to 2:1, the combination of policy instruments can lead to the optimal completion degree. It seems difficult to balance the stability of various policy instruments with the overall high completion degree. Chinese local governments are more accustomed to compulsory policy instruments. This reminds policymakers to pay more attention to the potential of voluntary instruments and mixed instruments in building low-carbon cities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Policy Innovation and Policy Mixes for Low-Carbon Transformations in Energy and Mobility)
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26 pages, 5083 KiB  
Article
Scenario Analysis in the Electric Power Industry under the Implementation of the Electricity Market Reform and a Carbon Policy in China
by Peng Wang and Meng Li
Energies 2019, 12(11), 2152; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12112152 - 05 Jun 2019
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3815
Abstract
In China, electricity market reform was first implemented in 2015. At the same time, the national carbon market was built, along with the electricity industry, which was considered a breakthrough. Some key considerations for the future development of China’s electricity system include the [...] Read more.
In China, electricity market reform was first implemented in 2015. At the same time, the national carbon market was built, along with the electricity industry, which was considered a breakthrough. Some key considerations for the future development of China’s electricity system include the implementation of demand-side measures in order to adjust the peak-to-valley difference and the economic dispatch of increasing intermittent renewable energy and traditional energy in the process of power marketization with the implementation of a carbon policy. This paper examines the impact of policies on electricity generation by modelling the evolution process of power marketization and the economic dispatch of generation technologies over a sixteen-year period beginning in 2020. We model four potential influencing factors of government policy: (1) the demand response mode; (2) power marketization process; (3) capacity adjustment of thermal power units; and (4) carbon taxes, which vary in terms of their timing and amount. This model assesses the impact of these influencing factors on the competition between electricity generators using a range of output variables, including generation portfolios, electricity prices, capacity factors, CO2 emissions, etc. The results show that the new round of electricity market reforms has had a positive impact on renewable energy generation. The influence of carbon policy is evident in the promotion, transformation and elimination of thermal units, and an indirect increase in renewable energy generation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Policy Innovation and Policy Mixes for Low-Carbon Transformations in Energy and Mobility)
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