WG 7: Smart Grid Transitions
Overview
Working Group (WG) 7 examines the institutional and social changes associated with the deployment of smart grids. Using innovation studies, political science, institutional economics, sociology, and energy-related laws and regulations, it makes these aspects understandable for policymakers and other stakeholders. Through the transition management framework, WG 7 initiates international, coordinated, transdisciplinary research activities. The social science results help to complement technology-oriented smart grid activities.
Policymakers can turn to WG 7 for insights into the direction, efficacy and efficiency of the energy transition. WG 7 contributes its expertise in non-technical areas and framework conditions, supporting more technically focused Working Groups by helping them to understand how their results address societal needs, political governance, policies, regulations and human behaviour, while accounting for the diversity of institutional structures and governance traditions among ISGAN countries.
Objectives
To advance policy and regulatory frameworks for smart grid transitions
To create a Smart Transitions Wiki
To contribute to strategic ISGAN initiatives
To foster knowledge exchange and collaboration among experts and stakeholders
To disseminate knowledge and inform policy
To shape future grid pricing models
To understand the evolving role of energy systems
Tasks
Transition processes and pathways
Task 1 focuses on transition processes and pathways, with a particular emphasis on regulatory experimentation, which has already been successfully explored in previous WG 7 activities, including regulatory sandboxes. Our current goal is to delve deeper into this topic and further advance its development. Furthermore, WG 7 is investigating policy instruments and effective governance processes that can pave the way for future decentralised energy systems.
Future models and translation function
Task 2 focuses on institutional organisational models and processes for smart grid deployment. We explore alternatives to the technology readiness level system, which is widely used but not always appropriate. This task also aims to create a unified terminology for smart grid transition using the Smart Transitions Wiki.
Structures of institutional change
We examine the tariff structures and regulatory incentive mechanisms of distribution system operators (DSOs). This involves mapping the framework underlying smart grid transition processes and presenting the results as comparative analyses.
Publications
Andersen, A. D., Markard, J., Bauknecht, D., and Korpås, M. (2023). Architectural change in accelerating transitions: Actor preferences, system architectures, and flexibility technologies in the German energy transition. Energy Research & Social Science, 97, 102945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.102945
Bauknecht, D., Andersen, A. D., and Dunne, K. T. (2020). Challenges for electricity network governance in whole system change: Insights from energy transition in Norway. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 37, 318–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2020.09.004
Bauknecht, D., Bolwig, S., Kubeczko, K., Olbrich, S., Rohracher, H. and Wieczorek, A. J. (2026). Emergent lock-ins in sustainability transitions: the example of energy system decentralisation. Energy, Sustainability and Society, 16, 22, 109543. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13705-026-00574-y
Bauknecht, D., Funcke, S., and Vogel, M. (2020). Is small beautiful? A framework for assessing decentralised electricity systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 118, 109543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2019.109543
Bauknecht, D., Gianinoni, I., Heeter, J., Kerkhof-Damen, N., Pascoe, O., Peyker, U., and Poplavskaya, K. (2019). Innovative Regulatory Approaches with Focus on Experimental Sandboxes. International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN). Link
Bergaentzlé, C., Bolwig, S., Juhler-Verdoner, H., Kubeczko, K., Liu, X., Nørregaard, Kjeld, Rossi, J., Steen, D., Stengel, A., and Wieczorek, A. (2021). A Transition Perspective on Demand-Side Flexibility in the Integrated Energy System. Insights from the Danish Annex 7 Project 2017-2021. UNEP DTU Partnership. Link
Farhangi, M., Rohracher, H., and Magnusson, D. (2024). More than wires and screens: Assumptions about agency of devices in smart energy projects. Energy Research & Social Science, 114, 103592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103592
Ge, X., Haering, P., Haindlmaier, G., Hummel, S., Kremers, E., Kubeczko, K., Lewald, N., Magnusson, D., Rivola, D. Rohracher, H., Skok, J., Wenske, J., and Wilhelmer, D. (2019). ReFlex Guidebook for the replication of use-cases tackling the flexibility challenge in smart energy systems. International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN). Link
Kubeczko, K., Wang, A., Bauknecht, D., Chaves Ávila, J. P., Correa Ramírez, M., An, A., Kerkhof-Damen, N., Lindquist, H., and Olofsson, M. (2021). ISGAN Regulatory Sandbox 2.0 Project: Policy Messages to the Clean Energy Ministerial. International Smart Grid Action Network (ISGAN). Link
Perez, L. E.R., Fina, B., Iglár, B., Monsberger, C., Maggauer, K., de A.B. Weber, N., Yiasoumas, G., Georghiou, G., Villar, J., Mello, J., Stanev, R. (2024). Guidelines and Recommendations for Optimal Implementation of Integrated Local Energy Communities. In M. Di Somma, C. Papadimitriou, G. Graditi, K. Kok (Eds.), Integrated Local Energy Communities: From Concepts and Enabling Conditions to Optimal Planning and Operation. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9783527843282.ch12
Ritter, D., Heinemann, C., Bauknecht, D., Winger C., and Flachsbarth, F. (2022). Model-Based Evaluation of Decentralised Electricity Markets at Different Phases of the German Energy Transition. Economics of Energy & Environmental Policy, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.5547/2160-5890.11.1.drit
Van Summeren, L. F.M., Breukers, S., and Wieczorek, A. J. (2022). Together we’re smart! Flemish and Dutch Energy communities’ replication strategies in smart grid experiments. Energy Research & Social Science, 89, 102643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2022.102643
Van Summeren, L. F.M., Wieczorek, A. J., Bombaerts, G. J.T., and Verbong, G. P.J. (2020). Community energy meets smart grids: Reviewing goals, structure, and roles in Virtual Power Plants in Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands. Energy Research & Social Science, 63, 101415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2019.101415
Van Summeren, L. F.M., Wieczorek, A. J., and Verbong, G. P.J. (2021). The merits of becoming smart: How Flemish and Dutch energy communities mobilise digital technology to enhance their agency in the energy transition. Energy Research & Social Science, 79, 102160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102160
Veseli, A., Moser, S., Kubeczko, K., Madner, V., Wang, A., and Wolfsgruber, K. (2021). Practical necessity and legal options for introducing energy regulatory sandboxes in Austria. Utilities Policy, 73, 101296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2021.101296
Wieczorek, A. J., Rohracher H., Bauknecht, D., Kubeczko, K., Bolwig, S., Valkering, P., Belhomme, R., and Maggiore, S. (2024). Citizen-led decentralised energy futures: Emerging rationales of energy system organisation. Energy Research & Social Science, 113, 103557. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103557
Wieczorek, A. J., van Bommel, N., El-Feiaz, A., Kluskens, N., Niet, I., van Summeren, L., Höffken, J., Alkemade, F., van den Berghe, L., Meloni, C., Graditi, G., Di Somma, M. (2024). Energy Communities as an Alternative Way of Organizing the Energy System in Europe: Key Societal Aspects. In M. Di Somma, C. Papadimitriou, G. Graditi, K. Kok (Eds.), Integrated Local Energy Communities: From Concepts and Enabling Conditions to Optimal Planning and Operation. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9783527843282.ch11
Working Group Manager (Austria)
Branislav Iglar
Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)
Task Leader (Austria)
Klaus Kubeczko
Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)
