A Changing Climate and a Smarter Grid: Critical Linkages - Smart Grid (R) Evolution: Electric Power Struggles - page 212

objectives can be integrated into both centralized and decentralized systems, climate goals
cannot ultimately be achieved without radical changes in the ways electric power is
produced and consumed. Given the scale of the climate problem, social and institutional
as well as technical changes in energy systems will be required. When considering such
transformative change, a fundamental challenge is the extent to which incremental
improvementandmoreradicalsystemtransformationcanbereconciled.Whileincremental
adjustments can bring immediate gains, and contribute to broader patterns of system
change, in certain circumstances they can also defer more radical innovation, and even
enhance lock-in to a sub-optimal development trajectory. In large, complex, and
interconnected systems like the electric power sector, poorly conceived incremental
changescanworkagainstlong-termgoals.Forsmartgridtobeeffectivelylinkedtoclimate
change objectives, short term implementation priorities must be established with a clear
eye on the long-term, more fundamental goals of transforming electricity systems to be
low-carbon and resilient.
References
Biesbroek, G. R., R. J. Swart, T. R. Carter, C. Cowan, T. Henrichs, H. Mela, M. D.
Morecroft, and D. Rey. (2010) Europe Adapts to Climate Change: Comparing National
Adaptation Strategies. Global Environmental Change , 20, 440-450.
Desertec. (2014) Desertec Foundation. Desertec Foundation. Heidelberg, Germany,
www.desertec.org/
Frondel, M. and C. Vance. (2013) Energy Efficiency: Don't Belittle the Rebound Effect.
Nature , 494. www.nature.com/nature/journal/v494/n7438/pdf/494430c.pdf
Hess,D.J.(2013)Transitions inEnergySystems: TheMitigation-Adaptation Relationship.
Science as Culture , 22, 144-150.
IPCC. (2014) Climate Change 2014 Mitigation of Climate Change. Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change. www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg3/ .
Jasanoff, S. and S. H. Kim. (2009) Containing the atom: Sociotechnical imaginaries and
nuclear power in the United States and South Korea. Minerva , 47(2), 119-146.
Kind, P. (2013) Disruptive Challenges: Financial Implications and Strategic Responses
to a Changing Retail Electric Business. Washington, DC: Edison Electric Institute.
www.eei.org/ourissues/finance/documents/disruptivechallenges.pdf