Transformation to a polycentric grid with distributed energy systems

Maarten Wolsink

Chapter 10 in Are Low-Carbon Futures Decentralised?, 2025, pp 122-132 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The energy transition concerns the urgent transformation of existing centralised electricity grids into polycentric smart grids to enhance sustainability in resilient electricity supply. As current centralised grids represent vulnerable monocultures, facing increasing challenges from natural disasters, attacks, and climate change, the integration of distributed energy systems (DES) in smart microgrids is essential for renewables’ generation, storage and management. This requires active material participation of end users in co-production. The importance of distinguishing between decentralisation as a move away from centrality and hierarchy, and distributed systems is elaborated. The institutional approach of common pool management (Ostrom) of natural resources proposes multi-layered, adaptive systems of a hybrid, polycentric nature. Polycentricity fosters diversity and adaptive capacity within DES by means of multiple governance centres operating simultaneously at different levels. The integration of microgrids as nodes in a polycentric structure supports sustainable resource use, ultimately leading to a more resilient and equitable energy landscape.

Keywords: Polycentric Governance; Resilience; Microgrids; Smart Grid; Distributed Energy Systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035355181
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