Value change in the energy transition

A major difficulty when designing for the energy transition is the possibility of value change. Value change refers to changing relative importance of values, and the emergence of new values. For example, the increase of the importance of safety has led to nuclear power plants being seen as unacceptable in some countries. Sustainability is seen as a new value that has emerged in the 80’s. Value change may lead to early decommissioning of existing technologies, for example nuclear power plants in Germany. The same could happen for other technologies that are key to the energy transition, for example potential privacy issues caused by smart grid technologies, or issues of affordability and inclusiveness caused by electric cars and sustainable heat networks.

In this project, we use simulation methods to anticipate value change. For example, agent-based modelling can help to understand how value change emerge as a result of the interaction between individuals and society. Exploratory modelling can help to create a typology of value change. This project is expected to lead to theory building of value change and help to provide policy recommendations in anticipation of value change in the energy transition.