Energy Transition  

Energy is ubiquitous and vital. It is an inherent part of all Earth’s processes and is an essential requirement for all living organisms. In the same vein, continuous energy flows are indispensable for the functioning of our economies and for the existence of modern societies. From fire to nuclear reactions, humanity has continuously tapped into various energy sources to “fuel” societal transformations and to maintain a growing socio-economic metabolism. Yet, at the same time that our energy systems enable us to create and innovate, they are increasingly threatening global social stability and human wellbeing due to rapid climatic changes, increasing pollution, and ecological degradation. Thus, for any hope of achieving a sustainable future our energy systems must be transformed. In simple terms, an energy transition is at the heart of a sustainability transition.

The Energy Transition team at Novia UAS is lead by Team Leader Jorge Gomez-Paredes and the team looks at energy from a “big perspective”. It not only considers energy systems in terms of the network of energy resources, generation, storage and conversion technologies, transmission and distribution mechanisms, and energy uses and services, but considers energy as the “bloodstream” of our modern socio-economic metabolism. Furthermore, it analyses how energy systems are embedded and co-evolve with social-ecological systems. Thus, we enquire:  

• How do current and new policies, technologies, social behaviours, and economic activities (including those considered sustainability solutions) modify our socio-economic metabolism and change the energy requirements of societies?
• How do changes in energy systems modify social-ecological systems and impact other facets of sustainability (e.g., water, food, biodiversity, employment)?
• What obstacles and opportunities are there for the implementation of energy transition pathways (e.g., deep decarbonization pathways)? 

Our methodological approach includes the application and combination of statistical data with logical and mathematical models. Studies include nexus analyses uncovering synergies and trade-offs among socio-economic and environmental goals (including the Sustainable Development Goals -SDGs-), as well as the assessment of local impacts and international spillover effects.