Browsing by Author "Spence, Alexa"

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    FAR out? An examination of converging, diverging and intersecting smart grid futures in the United Kingdom
    (Elsevier, 2020-07-07) Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye; Watson, Tom; Connor, Peter M.; Axon, Colin J.; Whitmarsh, Lorraine; Spence, Alexa; Baker, Philip E.
    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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    UK smart grid development: an expert assessment of the benefits, pitfalls and functions
    (Elsevier, 2015-03-27) Xenias, Dimitrios; Axon, Colin J.; Whitmarsh, Lorraine; Connor, Peter M.; Balta-Ozkan, Nazmiye; Spence, Alexa
    Making electricity grids smarter is a challenging, long-term, and ambitious process. It consists of many possible transitions and involves many actors relevant to existing and potential functions of the grid. We applied a two round Policy Delphi process with a range of sectoral experts who discussed important drivers, barriers, benefits, risks and expected functions of smarter grids, to inform the development of smarter grids. Our analysis of these expert views indicates broad consensus of the necessity for smarter grids, particularly for economic and environmental reasons; yet stakeholders also associated a range of risks and barriers such as lack of investment, disengaged consumers, complexity and data privacy with measures to make the grid smarter. Different methods for implementing smarter grid functions were considered, all thought to be more likely in urban settings. Implications for policy and future research are considered.