Upholding Safety in Future Energy Systems: The Need for Systemic Risk Assessment

Ben Riemersma, Rolf Künneke, Genserik Reniers and Aad Correljé
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Ben Riemersma: Department of Values of Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands
Rolf Künneke: Department of Values of Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands
Genserik Reniers: Department of Values of Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands
Aad Correljé: Department of Values of Technology and Innovation, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BX Delft, The Netherlands

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-20

Abstract: This paper argues that energy systems are becoming increasingly complex, and illustrates how new types of hazards emerge from an ongoing transition towards renewable energy sources. It shows that the energy sector relies heavily on risk assessment methods that are analytic, and that systemic methods provide important additional insights. A case study of the Dutch gas sector illustrates this by comparing the hazard and operability study (HAZOP, analytic) with the system-theoretic process analysis (STPA, systemic). The contribution is twofold. This paper illustrates how system hazards will remain underestimated by sustained use of only analytic methods, and it highlights the need to study the organization of safety in energy transitions. We conclude that appropriate risk assessment for future energy systems involves both analytic and systemic risk assessments.

Keywords: risk assessment; safety; STPA; HAZOP; energy transition; renewable energy; biogas; hydrogen; hazard analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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