TY - JOUR

T1 - Status and future dynamics of decentralised renewable energy niche building processes in Argentina

AU - Schaube, Philipp

AU - Ortiz, Willington

AU - Recalde, Marina

PY - 2018/1

Y1 - 2018/1

N2 - Despite significant natural potential for renewable energy in Argentina and the political intention to generate 8% of electricity from renewable sources by 2017, by 2016 the share was only 1.95%. Although this aggregated picture appears unfavourable, several diverse initiatives promoting the development and application of decentralised renewable energy technologies are in place across the country. The aim of this study is to characterise those initiatives promoting decentralised renewable energy and to assess their potential role in inducing the wider transformation of the Argentinian energy system. To achieve this, we apply conceptualisations for the development of sociotechnical niches and use qualitative research techniques to characterise the sociotechnical dynamics of the decentralised renewable energy sector in Argentina. A niche in an advanced stage of development, in which lessons are systematically aggregated in networks, was identified and examples of generic lessons being used to frame new projects or programmes were also found. In addition to considering the internal niche development processes, we investigate how external factors affect the development of the niche. Finally, we suggest two possible development pathways by which the niche might exert stronger influence on the broader sustainability transformation of the Argentinian power system.

AB - Despite significant natural potential for renewable energy in Argentina and the political intention to generate 8% of electricity from renewable sources by 2017, by 2016 the share was only 1.95%. Although this aggregated picture appears unfavourable, several diverse initiatives promoting the development and application of decentralised renewable energy technologies are in place across the country. The aim of this study is to characterise those initiatives promoting decentralised renewable energy and to assess their potential role in inducing the wider transformation of the Argentinian energy system. To achieve this, we apply conceptualisations for the development of sociotechnical niches and use qualitative research techniques to characterise the sociotechnical dynamics of the decentralised renewable energy sector in Argentina. A niche in an advanced stage of development, in which lessons are systematically aggregated in networks, was identified and examples of generic lessons being used to frame new projects or programmes were also found. In addition to considering the internal niche development processes, we investigate how external factors affect the development of the niche. Finally, we suggest two possible development pathways by which the niche might exert stronger influence on the broader sustainability transformation of the Argentinian power system.

KW - Argentina

KW - Decentralised renewable energy niche

KW - Energy transition

KW - Strategic Niche Management

KW - Transdisciplinary studies

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85034434083&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.erss.2017.10.037

DO - 10.1016/j.erss.2017.10.037

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85034434083

VL - 35

SP - 57

EP - 67

JO - Energy Research and Social Science

JF - Energy Research and Social Science

SN - 2214-6296

ER -