Hofbauer, Leonhard;
(2025)
Energy system modelling for multi-level governance of sustainable energy transitions.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
The energy system stands at the core of many of the world's grand challenges. The use of fossil fuels for energy is a major contributor to global warming while the energy system also stands at the core of meeting sustainable development goals, including the eradication of poverty and economic growth. Fostering energy system transitions that address these challenges is a unique governance problem. Both the United Nations' Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement highlight the importance of the engagement of subnational governments and in particular local authorities in addressing these global challenges. This requires an approach to governing the energy system that integrates strategies, policies, and actions across the multiple levels of national and subnational authorities. In this context, this thesis aims to contribute to more effective multi-level governance of energy transitions by advancing and applying multi-scale energy modelling approaches. Energy modelling studies have so far only to a very limited extent engaged with the multi-level governance arrangements underpinning energy systems. This thesis introduces an open-source multi-scale modelling framework, as well as a multi-scale energy system model for the UK focused on the building sector as groundwork for such efforts. The model is used to explore national and local pathways underpinning policy-driven heat decarbonization scenarios. Key findings include the varying nature and implications of the heat transition across local authorities. It highlights a potential key role of heat pumps across many areas and confirms the ambitious nature of many local authorities' net zero targets. It also highlights the importance for policies to facilitate investments in capital-intensive technologies, in particular heat pumps, across certain household groups to avoid negative justice implications of the transition. The insights contribute towards a mutual understanding and coordination of the heat transition across scales.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Energy system modelling for multi-level governance of sustainable energy transitions |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2025. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of the Built Environment > Bartlett School Env, Energy and Resources |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10215575 |
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