The Great Reconfiguration: A Socio-Technical Analysis of Low-Carbon Transitions in UK Electricity, Heat, and Mobility Systems

This book explores the dynamics and governance of low-carbon transitions, using the Multi-Level Perspective to develop a whole system reconfiguration approach. It focuses on the UK electricity, heat, and mobility systems and examines interactions between radical niche-innovations and existing systems across techno-economic, policy, and actor dimensions. Comparative analysis reveals why these transitions vary in speed, scope, and depth, and assesses their potential for deeper transitions. Broader lessons are developed about the roles of incumbent firms, governance and politics, user engagement, wider public, and civil society organizations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 12 May 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This comprehensive book is a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners who are deeply interested in the dynamics and governance of low-carbon transitions. It adopts a Multi-Level Perspective to develop a holistic system reconfiguration approach, which explains how the integration of multiple innovations can collectively transform existing systems. The book specifically focuses on the UK electricity, heat, and mobility systems, conducting a systematic analysis of the interactions between radical niche-innovations and existing (sub)systems across techno-economic, policy, and actor dimensions over the past three decades. Through a comparative analysis, it sheds light on why these low-carbon transitions unfold at varying speeds, scopes, and depths within these three systems. It also evaluates whether these transitions qualify as "Great Reconfigurations" and assesses the potential for and barriers to deeper low-carbon system transitions. By generalizing across these systems, the book offers broader insights into the roles of incumbent firms, governance and politics, user engagement, the wider public, and civil society organizations in driving these transitions. Additionally, this title is available as Open Access on Cambridge Core, ensuring accessibility to a wider audience.

Weight: 624g
ISBN-13: 9781009198240