Governance for Sustainable Energy: Case Studies of Smart Grid Developments in South Korea and Japan

Abstract

Climate change concerns, rising energy costs, and nuclear risks have heightened the urgency for a low-carbon transition. Smart grids represent one of the most evolutionary changes in energy management systems. They are increasingly being adopted and implemented in developed and developing economies (e.g. US, South Korea, Japan and China). Through applying information technology to existing electric networks, smart grids provide opportunities to integrate more decentralised electricity supply system (e.g. renewable energy) and allow consumers to make substantial reduction in consumption.

One of the greatest challenges for smart grid diffusion is to create a favourable environment for mainstreaming this new technological option. However, what are the conditions and mechanisms that work? What doesn’t work? How and why? Drawing on case studies of South Korea and Japan, this presentation will answer some of these questions from the perspectives of governance for sustainability.