Local Area Energy Plans: an effective tool for Net Zero energy transitions?

该项目具有以下总体指示性目标-提高我们对区域能源规划潜力的理解，使其成为推进可持续、净零能源系统的有效工具。这个主题为研究提供了一个重要的、丰富的和未被探索的领域，有以下潜在的问题：地方能源计划是否有助于地方能源系统的脱碳？到什么程度？因果机制和促成条件是什么？治理。区域能源规划如何应对不同地区的不同情况？在引导能源转型时，它们在多大程度上促进了跨部门整合和跨标量自反性？系统性变化。区域能源计划如何就不同的能源脱碳途径（例如氢、热泵、热网的各自作用）提供更广泛的政策辩论？无论选择何种重点，博士学位提案都是一个及时的机会，可以培养英国在快速发展的国际领域的研究能力，并解决战略研究差距。预计到2023-2024年，该方法将涵盖英格兰和威尔士各地已实施或正在实施的全部区域能源计划，包括威尔士地方当局正在制定的综合计划。此外，该方法可能需要详细的案例研究工作，包括访谈和文献方法，重点关注特定地区的局部区域能源计划和次国家政府的促进作用，特别是威尔士政府和其他战略参与者（例如英国政府，能源网络公司）。参与者观察和行动研究都可以发挥宝贵的作用，可能是为学生提供借调机会，或者通过使用中间结果来通知学习事件，让来自公共、私营和第三部门的“区域能源计划”参与者参与。

The project has the following overarching, indicative aim - to improve our understanding of the potential for Local Area Energy Planning to become an effective tool for progressing sustainable, net-zero energy systems. The subject matter offers a vital, rich and under-explored terrain for research, with the following potential questions:IMPACT. Have Local Area Energy Plans contributed to the decarbonisation of local energy systems? To what extent? What are the causal mechanisms and enabling conditions?GOVERNANCE. How do Local Area Energy Plans respond to the diverse situations of different places? To what extent do they facilitate cross-sectoral integration and cross-scalar reflexivity in steering energy transitions?SYSTEMIC SHIFTS. How do Local Area Energy Plans inform wider policy debates over different energy decarbonisation pathways (e.g. the respective role of hydrogen, heat pumps, heat networks)?Whatever precise focus is chosen, the PhD proposal is a timely opportunity to cultivate UK research capacity in a fast-moving, international field, and address a strategic research gap.It is anticipated that the methodology will encompass the full array of Local Area Energy Plans in place or in progress across England and Wales by 2023-2024, including the comprehensive set being created in Wales by local authorities. In addition, the methodology is likely to entail detailed case study work, involving interview and documentary methods, focusing on the Local Area Energy Plans in particular localities and the facilitating role of sub-national government, particularly the Welsh Government and other strategic actors (e.g. UK Government, energy network companies). Participant observation and Action Research could both play a valuable role, perhaps built into the secondment opportunities to be provided for the student, or by using the intermediate results to inform learning events, involving Local Area Energy Plan participants from across public, private and third sectors.