The non-technical barriers to large scale electricity networks: Analysing the case for the US and EU supergrids

Gerardo Zarazua de Rubens and Lance Noel

Energy Policy, 2019, vol. 135, issue C

Abstract: Several studies have investigated large scale renewables, electricity networks and the potential for a supergrid, both in the US and the Europe. However, much of this work is focused on technical and economic barriers and under-recognises social, political and other non-technical aspects. This paper builds a conceptual framework to analyse the non-technical barriers, engagement of stakeholders and social risks to the proposed supergrids in the US and Europe. In doing so, we find 12 different non-technical situations (barriers) on each region that are present in the implementation of a supergrid, and can help guide the development of these economically efficient projects to address the social barriers and risks that they may face. From our results, we suggest a set of policy recommendations, parting with the introduction of an overarching body of governance for the coordination and implementation of the supergrid. This, we hope, provides a map and encouragement for policymakers, investors and stakeholders looking to develop and complete these megaprojects; recognising that some configuration of a supergrid is required to achieve a full penetration of renewables. Therefore, the results of this paper have a significant contribution in decarbonising energy production and supply systems, complying with national and international climate ambitions.

Keywords: Non-technical barriers; Supergrid; Megaprojects; Renewable energy; Electricity networks; Large scale infrastructure (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Downloads: (external link)
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421519306056
Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:enepol:v:135:y:2019:i:c:s0301421519306056

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111018

Access Statistics for this article

Energy Policy is currently edited by N. France

More articles in Energy Policy from Elsevier
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Catherine Liu ().