Introduction to FTS - Transition Theory & Socio-Technical Systems

Question 1

What is a system?

Answer 1

A system is an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organised in a way that achieves something.

A system can have elements, interconnections, a function or purpose. Elements can be technical, i.e. actors and people.

Question 2

What are system boundaries?

Answer 2

'’What makes you see the problem as you do?’’

Culture, nationality, beliefs, preferences, etc.

Question 3

Systems View

Answer 3

Inputs: E.g. energy resources, matter resources, information.

Throughputs: e.g. system processes, i.e. a series of interrelated elements/unit operations that transform inputs into outputs.

Outputs (to environment): e.g. work or products, waste and pollution, heat.

For instance, industrial systems combine processes and their outcomes into aimed products and/or services.

For instance, a distillery industry inputs raw material such as wheat or water, and produces wastewater, or bottled and packaged vodka.

Question 4

What are the different types of systems?

Answer 4

Man-made systems, including electronic devices, mechanical or technical cars, social workplaces.

Question 5

What are socio-technical systems?

Answer 5

The interaction between people and technology (i.e. social systems and technical systems).

For example, energy systems. These are designed to meet a demand for a service (e.g. our comfort) for a user, such as space heating, running appliances in our household, running industrial processes.

The system requires input of energy as primary energy sources. There are conversions which take place. Output is energy carriers e.g. hot water, electricity.

We could also consider the negative impacts it brings and what we do about them.

Similarly for the water system and the waste system. Look at pictures.

Question 6

What is systems thinking?

Answer 6

• A process of reasoning.
• A holistic way of thinking or understanding.
• A study of how a system works, i.e., how the purpose/aim of a system is materialised, what goes in and what comes out, tool for diagnosis where and why problems occur.

Question 7

Types of energy systems

Answer 7

Centralised: In a centralized system, energy (typically electricity) is generated at large power plants, which can be powered by fossil fuels, nuclear, or renewable energy (like hydro, solar farms, or wind farms). The electricity is then distributed to consumers via a vast grid infrastructure.

Advantages include economies of scale, reliability, efficiency in resource use.

Disadvantages include vulnerability, transmission losses (energy lost over long distances), carbon footprint, high upfront costs.

Decentralised: In a decentralized system, energy is generated closer to where it is consumed, such as through rooftop solar panels, local wind turbines, microgrids, or small-scale hydropower. This can be at the level of individual homes, businesses, or communities.

Advantages include resilience, energy efficiency, environmental benefits, local control, scalability. Disadvantages include higher cost per unit, intermittency, initial investment, management complexity.

Increasingly, cities and regions are looking to hybrid energy systems, which combine elements of both centralized and decentralized approaches. For instance, a national grid might be supplemented by local microgrids that provide additional resilience and clean energy during peak times or outages.

Question 8

Conversions in energy systems

Answer 8

Primary energy sources e.g. nuclear, fossil, biomass, geothermal, solar, running water, wind.

Through processing, transport, undergoes conversions e.g. chemical to heat, heat to mechanical, mechanical to electricity, electricity to mechanical, electricity to heat.

This is then distributed to meet a demand/service e.g. domestic heating, industrial, electricity, etc.

Question 9

Conversion, Distribution and Refinement of Energy

Answer 9

• Many primary energy sources must be refined (or processed) to be useful (which results in losses)
• Primary energy sources are (mostly) converted into useful energy
• Heat to Mechanical (energy with direction) conversion involves significant losses
• Losses x losses (compounded losses which multiply with each conversion stage)
• Useful energy is distributed to the energy service users as energy services
• Distribution losses (occur during energy distribution)

Question 10

District heating

Answer 10

Fuel, energy source
Supply: conversion from fuel to heat
Pipes: distribution system
Buildings: users of space heating and hot water

Question 11

What is a concept?

Answer 11

A concept is an abstract or general idea representing a category/phenomenon

Question 12

What is a theory?

Answer 12

A set of concepts explaining the (social) world. A systematic explanation of phenomena (based on principles and tested hypotheses). A system of ideas intended to explain phenomena or even predict outcomes.

Question 13

What is a theoretical framework?

Answer 13

A structure of interconnected concepts and theories that guides research or analysis within a specific field

Question 14

Examples of theories and concepts

Answer 14

Concepts: e.g. democracy, circular economy, sustainable development, environmental awareness, education, etc.

Theories: e.g. energy justice theory, practice theory, critical theory, marxism, etc.

Question 15

What is a socio-technical system?

Answer 15

The interaction between people and technology.

Composed of technical elements such as software and infrastructure.

Include operational processes and the people who interact with the technology.

Human knowledge, skills and practices are integral to system functionality.

Governed by policies and rules guiding operations and societal interactions.

Question 16

Factors influencing technology’s development, adoption and utilisation in society

Answer 16

• Technology is shaped by the people who design, use and manage, reflecting society’s values, needs and visions
• Constraining: can limit future innovations by locking in certain pathways.
• Enabling: opens up new possibilities for future developments.
• Integration of social, political and economic factors (key to the evolution of technology).

Question 17

Large technical systems

Answer 17

The development, operation and maintenance of large, complex infrastructures e.g. power grid, transport networks.

• Role of system builders is key e.g. engineers, governments.
• Key concepts used include:
• Momentum: as systems grow, they become harder to change because of existing infrastructure
• Path dependency: early decisions can lock in certain pathways, making it difficult to shift away from established norms or technologies
• Technological lock-in: once a system is established, it becomes difficult to change or adopt alternative technologies
• Useful when analysing large technical systems

Question 18

Multi-level perspective

Answer 18

Focuses more on transitions in socio-technical systems, exploring how radical innovations emerge within established socio-technical systems.

How do technological transitions come about?

Question 19

Phases that develop as systems grow

Answer 19

• Invention - new system emerges around radical inventions
• Expansion - system grows, adapts and competes with rivals
• Tech transfer - exported to different environments, e.g. countries
• Momentum and consolidation - system becomes hard to change, appearing autonomous

Question 20

What is a transition?

Answer 20

The broad definition of transition is ‘’ a change from one form or type to another or the process by which this change happens’’

Question 21

What is a socio-technical transition?

Answer 21

• Describe how technological innovations occur and how these are integrated into society.
• Include tech innovations but also wider societal changes e.g. user practices, regulation, industrial networks, infrastructure

E.g. sailing ships to steamships, horse-drawn carriages to cars

Question 22

What are the 3 MLP perspectives?

Answer 22

Micro-level (niches): protective spaces that nurture, incubate and empower radical innovations

Meso level (Regimes): the deeply embedded mainstream systems in society (e.g. technologies, policies, user practices, markets, culture). Characterised by stablility and resistance to change.

Macro level (landscape): deep structural trends in the wider economy and society. The external context for niche and regime actors. Sometimes interrupted by major events, put pressure on regimes to open up

Question 23

What are transitions the result of?

Answer 23

The result of interactions at multiple levels. Transitions are long-term and non-linear, with varying rates of change.

Windows of opportunity are located at the intersection of tensions between these levels.

Transitions happen when:
- Sufficient pressure from the landscape exists.
- Regimes are not stable and open for change.
- Niche innovations are available and are sufficiently developed.

Transition pathways differ depending on timing, multi-level relations, contexts.

Question 24

What are transitions shaped by?

Answer 24

• Societal needs
• Technological innovations
• Interplay of various actors

Question 25

According to the MLP transition theory, what is a window of opportunity? What are the conditions for a window of opportunity to appear? (EXAM QUESTION)

Answer 25

Windows of opportunity are located at the intersection of tensions between these levels.

Transitions happen when:
- Sufficient pressure from the landscape exists.
- Regimes are not stable and open for change.
- Niche innovations are available and are sufficiently developed.