FAR out? An examination of converging, diverging and intersecting smart grid futures in the United Kingdom

Nazmiye Balta-Ozkan; Tom Watson; Peter M. Connor; Colin J. Axon; Lorraine Whitmarsh; Alexa Spence; Philip E. Baker

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2020.101675

FAR out? An examination of converging, diverging and intersecting smart grid futures in the United Kingdom

Nazmiye Balta-Ozkan, Tom Watson, Peter M. Connor, Colin J. Axon, Lorraine Whitmarsh, Alexa Spence, Philip E. Baker

Department of Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We describe a novel application of the field anomaly relaxation (FAR) method of scenario construction to the complex problem of smart grid development. We augment the FAR methodology with extensive expert input through all four steps to incorporate detailed knowledge of the technical, economic and policy issues relevant to informing scenarios for smart grid development in the United Kingdom. These steps inform scenarios useful to policymakers, regulators and the energy industry. We found this extended method to be flexible and reliable. Analysis of smart grid development yielded seven dimensions, allowing for portrayal of a complex and informed set of scenarios. The expert input and feedback identified branching points allowing switching between scenarios – a powerful dynamic feature to assist policy development for a fast-changing technological and regulatory landscape.

Original language	English
Article number	101675
Journal	Energy Research and Social Science
Volume	70
Early online date	7 Jul 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101675
Publication status	Published - 1 Dec 2020

Keywords

Energy scenario
FAR method
Field anomaly relaxation
Participatory scenario
Scenario development
Smart grid scenario

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Nuclear Energy and Engineering
Fuel Technology
Energy Engineering and Power Technology
Social Sciences (miscellaneous)

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10.1016/j.erss.2020.101675

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abstract = "We describe a novel application of the field anomaly relaxation (FAR) method of scenario construction to the complex problem of smart grid development. We augment the FAR methodology with extensive expert input through all four steps to incorporate detailed knowledge of the technical, economic and policy issues relevant to informing scenarios for smart grid development in the United Kingdom. These steps inform scenarios useful to policymakers, regulators and the energy industry. We found this extended method to be flexible and reliable. Analysis of smart grid development yielded seven dimensions, allowing for portrayal of a complex and informed set of scenarios. The expert input and feedback identified branching points allowing switching between scenarios – a powerful dynamic feature to assist policy development for a fast-changing technological and regulatory landscape.",

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