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

该项目有以下总的指示性目标--提高我们对地方能源规划成为发展可持续、净零能源系统的有效工具的潜力的了解。这一主题为研究提供了一个重要的、丰富的和未被充分探索的领域，具有以下潜在问题：影响。当地能源计划是否有助于当地能源系统的脱碳？在多大程度上？其因果机制和促成条件是什么？治理。地方能源计划如何应对各地的不同情况？它们在多大程度上促进了跨部门整合和在引导能源转型方面的跨标量反射？系统性转变。当地能源计划如何为围绕不同能源脱碳途径(例如氢气、热泵、热网络的各自作用)的更广泛的政策辩论提供信息？无论选择什么精确的重点，博士计划都是一个及时的机会，可以培养英国在一个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正在实施或正在进行的全面的当地能源计划，包括地方当局在威尔士创建的全面计划。此外，该方法可能需要详细的案例研究工作，包括访谈和纪录法，重点放在地方的当地能源计划以及地方政府，特别是威尔士政府和其他战略行为者(如英国政府、能源网络公司)的促进作用。参与者观察和行动研究都可以发挥有价值的作用，也许可以纳入为学生提供的借调机会，或者利用中间结果为学习活动提供信息，让来自公共、私营和第三部门的当地能源计划参与者参与进来。

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.