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Rethinking the scale, structure & scope of U.S. energy institutions
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 23:27 authored by Michael H Dworkin, Roman V Sidortsov, Benjamin SovacoolBenjamin SovacoolThis essay notes some of the key institutions created in the twentieth century for the purpose of delivering energy in North America. Those institutions are being challenged by a combination of stresses in three interconnected areas: reliability, economics, and environmental sustainability. The essay argues that these three stresses create an “energy trilemma” requiring institutional reform. We suggest that new and modi½ed institutions can best be understood if we evaluate them along three dimensions: institutional scale, structure, and scope. We consider real-world examples of recent institutions in light of each of these dimensions and note both successes and concerns that those factors illuminate. We conclude by noting that some institutional changes will be organic and unplanned; but many others, including responses to climate change, will bene½t from conscious attention to scale, structure, and scope by those engaged in designing and building the energy institutions needed in the twenty-½rst century.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
DaedalusISSN
0011-5266Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Press (MIT Press)External DOI
Issue
1Volume
142Page range
129-145Department affiliated with
- SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2016-01-19First Open Access (FOA) Date
2016-01-19First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-01-19Usage metrics
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