Title: A sociotechnical systems model for smart-grid adoption in mid-sized urban environments

Authors: Heiko Degen; Ali Mostashari; Maik Maurer

Addresses: Institute for Product Development, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany ' School of Systems and Enterprises, Stevens Institute of Technology, 07030-5991 Hoboken, USA ' Institute for Product Development, Technical University of Munich, 85748 Garching, Germany

Abstract: In this paper, we present a quantified system dynamics model simulating the adoption of smart grid technologies such as electric vehicles, PV systems and smart meters in a mid-sized urban system and the resulting impact on the CO₂ emissions. We also analyse the impact of different subsidies on the adoption and calculate the effectiveness regarding public and private spending on these technologies in order to derive a strategy for policy making. The results show that even in an ideal scenario the emissions cannot be reduced enough to outweigh additional emissions caused by the population growth. Hence smart grid technologies can only be one part of a greater strategy in order to make cities more sustainable.

Keywords: smart grid; emission savings; electric vehicles; photovoltaics; smart meters; system dynamics; sociotechnical systems; STS; urban environments; simulation; CO2; carbon dioxide; carbon emissions; population growth; sustainable cities; sustainable development; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETP.2014.065034

International Journal of Energy Technology and Policy, 2014 Vol.10 No.1, pp.1 - 20

Received: 21 Aug 2013
Accepted: 15 Jan 2014
Published online: 27 Oct 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article