Transition of energy infrastructures: modelling the Brazilian case

Catherine M. Chiong Meza and Gerard P.J. Dijkema

International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, 2009, vol. 5, issue 4, 368-388

Abstract: Triggered by the distress around climate change and security of supply, European countries struggle to diversify their energy portfolio while producing less carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, favouring a transition to avoid a system collapse. However, this situation is not new. Thirty years ago, prompted by two consecutive oil crises, Brazil started its transition to a less oil-dependent economy, and has now reached a relatively stable bio-ethanol economy. This paper analyses the historical transition of Brazil using a multidisciplinary systemic approach, where we portray transition dynamics at the agent layer, interaction layer and system layer, and demonstrate the relevance of information feedback. The shift of Brazil to a bio-ethanol economy was an objective-oriented transition wherein the government was the initiator of the transition process. We conclude that, despite the historical and geographical differences and the risks of a direct institutional transplantation, European countries can benefit from the lessons learned from the Brazilian experience.

Keywords: transition dynamics; bioethanol economy; Brazil; energy infrastructures: modelling; biofuels; information feedback; critical infrastructures; carbon dioxide; CO2 emissions; carbon emissions; energy security; climate change. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ids:ijcist:v:5:y:2009:i:4:p:368-388

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