The Ecosystems Perspective in Energy Research: A New Field is Born?

Dimos Chatzinikolaou, Charis Vlados, A. I. Kokkinaki

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Abstract

The “ecosystem perspective” seems to be gaining importance in energy research. This paper offers a systematic review of 98 articles to shed light on the burgeoning interest in the “energy ecosystems” perspective. The growth in energy ecosystems research stems from several factors: the integration of approaches that connect energy flows with ecological concepts, the inclusion of emerging technologies and socio-technical nuances, and a significant uptick in academic publications over recent years. Our review identifies four pivotal trends shaping the energy ecosystems discourse: “industrial ecology and sustainable development,” “energy transition and socioeconomic evolution,” “business and innovation ecosystems in energy,” “distributed energy systems, smart grid innovations, and associated policy-regulation dynamics.” These trends underscore a pronounced emphasis on energy efficiency in the pertinent literature. Looking ahead, there’s a case for adopting a comprehensive macro-meso-micro framework, with a particular spotlight on the intricate roles of individual energy firms within these ecosystems.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)249
Number of pages266
JournalInternational Journal of Energy Economics and Policy
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Energy Ecosystem
  • Systematic Literature Review
  • Macro-Meso-Micro Framework
  • Industrial Ecology
  • Energy Transition
  • Distributed Energy Systems

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