Emerging Smart Grid Struggles - Smart Grid (R) Evolution: Electric Power Struggles - page 11

Sociotechnical systems include technology, infrastructure, maintenance networks, and
supply networks, as well as regulations, markets, user practices, and cultural meaning.
Sociotechnical systemscanbecomequitestableandresistanttochangewhenthesocialand
technical dynamics form reinforcing mechanisms to protect and promote the entrenched
regime (Turnheim and Geels 2013 ). The status quo is perpetuated and strengthened as
established actors, institutions, and technologies contribute to maintaining current
arrangements. But a sociotechnical system can become unstable when there is alignment of
pressurespushingtowardsystem-wide change(Geels 2005 ).Whenthishappensthesystem
can transition to a novel configuration that could eventually stabilize as a different system.
In this topic we take a systems approach to move beyond the conventional linear view
of science, technology, and innovation that assumes scientific research leads to technology
advancements which lead to innovations (Keller 2008 , Luhmann 1989 ) . We embrace a
broader view that incorporates the social dimensions of system change and acknowledges
inevitable negative social and environmental consequences of technological development.
We integrate our varied backgrounds and experiences to move beyond the technical and
economic perspectives of electricity system change to expand energy system consideration
to include key social, political, and cultural dimensions.
We embrace the notion that sociotechnical systems are dynamic and ever-changing, and
that some sociotechnical systems are more stable than others and, therefore, more resistant
to transitions than others. We also acknowledge that system change is extremely difficult
because of the reinforcing power of incumbent actors and institutions who often cling
desperately to the status quo (Breslau 2013 , Laird 2013 ).
1.6 Organization of the Topic
This topic takes readers on a guided tour of the social and technical complexity of smart
grid. We describe the overarching social context of smart grid and how it is changing over
time.With this topic,weattempttomakevisibleatopicandacritical societalinfrastructure
that is often invisible, or at least overlooked.
We begin with three chapters that lay out the basics of this smart grid map. Chapter
2 presents the dominant promises and pitfalls that are most often associated with smart
grid. This chapter describes a broad spectrum of perceptions, including the views of
technological optimists who think smart grid has potential to solve many of humanity's
most vexing problems as well as the perspective of mistrustful skeptics who see smart
grid as an expansion of corporate control over individuals' lives. Chapter 3 then explains
the different technological components that are most often considered to be critical pieces
of the smart grid puzzle. This chapter provides background to understand technological