TY - JOUR
T1 - Governing the transition of socio-technical systems
T2 - A case study of the development of smart grids in Korea
AU - Mah, Daphne Ngar-yin
AU - van der Vleuten, Johannes Marinus
AU - Ip, Jasper Chi-man
AU - Hills, Peter Ronald
N1 - Funding Information:
Another landscape factor is Korea's long-standing reliance on government-funded institutes as a bridge between government and industry. A key institute for smart grids is the Korea Smart Grid Institute (KSGI). The Ministry of Knowledge and Economy (MKE) is the government agency which is responsible for formulating and implementing the national smart grid vision and policies. KSGI is in effect the executive arm of MKE. Fully funded by the government, KSGI is designated as the secretariat for smart grid initiatives, and it is responsible for implementing the national smart grid roadmap, managing the Jeju Smart Grid Testbed, and coordinating and managing R&D funding.
PY - 2012/6
Y1 - 2012/6
N2 - This paper examines the motivations, processes and outcomes of the development of smart grids in South Korea through the perspectives of governance and innovation systems. Drawing on desktop research and semi-structured interviews, this paper has two major findings. First, the development of smart grids in Korea has been shaped by various factors including macroeconomic policy, the role of the government, and experimentation. The complex interactions between these factors at the landscape, regime and niche levels has impacted on the development of smart grids. Second, while Korea's government-led approach has its strengths in driving change, it has also exposed weaknesses in the country's ability to mobilise the private sector and consumer participation. Major obstacles including partial electricity market reform and public distrust exist. A systemic perspective is needed for policy in order to accommodate the changes required for smart grid development. Regulatory reforms, particularly price-setting mechanisms, and consumer engagement are priority areas for policy change.
AB - This paper examines the motivations, processes and outcomes of the development of smart grids in South Korea through the perspectives of governance and innovation systems. Drawing on desktop research and semi-structured interviews, this paper has two major findings. First, the development of smart grids in Korea has been shaped by various factors including macroeconomic policy, the role of the government, and experimentation. The complex interactions between these factors at the landscape, regime and niche levels has impacted on the development of smart grids. Second, while Korea's government-led approach has its strengths in driving change, it has also exposed weaknesses in the country's ability to mobilise the private sector and consumer participation. Major obstacles including partial electricity market reform and public distrust exist. A systemic perspective is needed for policy in order to accommodate the changes required for smart grid development. Regulatory reforms, particularly price-setting mechanisms, and consumer engagement are priority areas for policy change.
KW - Smart grid
KW - Korea
KW - Socio-technical systems
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84859750215&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.005
DO - 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.005
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:84859750215
SN - 0301-4215
VL - 45
SP - 133
EP - 141
JO - Energy Policy
JF - Energy Policy
ER -
