Speakers
Description
Urban energy systems account for over 70% of global carbon emissions, making the adoption of renewable energy sources crucial to achieving global reduction targets. In recent years, wind, solar, and waste heat have all experienced considerable growth. However, mismatches between fluctuating renewable energy supply and the steady demand patterns of traditional urban energy usage often lead to significant energy waste, underscoring the urgent need for reliable urban energy storage solutions. Existing studies primarily focus on the technical performance, cost-effectiveness, and construction of storage facilities, yet devote relatively little attention to the governance complexities of integrating such systems into urban energy networks. These complexities include competition between storage solutions and traditional energy sources, as well as end-user acceptance, all requiring effective coordination among diverse stakeholders and institutional learning.
This research analyzes the cross-boundary interactions among institutions, actors, and ideas during the planning and implementation of waste heating storage in Beijing. Drawing on data from 14 waste heat production and storage facilities, we employ an analytical framework to evaluate the dynamics of governance networks. Based on this information, an eight-dimensional stakeholder model—covering decision-making, production, storage, transportation, consumption, operation, research and development, and investment—has been developed, revealing conflict points related to waste heat energy absorption, transportation constraints, and user-equipment retrofitting.
To illustrate these interactions in practice, we conducted an in-depth case study of the waste heat infrastructure planning at the Changping waste incineration plant. Actor-network analysis, based on 39 semi-structured interviews, demonstrates how governance networks evolve through various stages of storage planning.
Three major findings emerge:
(1) Different waste heat sources generate unique conflict dimensions—incineration-based waste heat primarily faces spatial constraints for storage, while data-center waste heat triggers challenges surrounding equipment retrofitting and storage efficiency; end-user equipment upgrades pose operational hurdles across all storage types for energy transformations.
(2) Scaling and land resource demands remain central concerns for planning stakeholders, as larger heat storage facilities increase efficiency but require more urban land, necessitating thoughtful spatial planning and supportive policy measures.
(3) Governance network dynamics change significantly over time: initial momentum derives from decision-makers, producers, storage, and transportation sectors, while later stages hinge on cost management, complexity reduction, and timeline feasibility—factors that empower consumers, operators, and investors.
By highlighting the multifaceted governance processes and institutional collaborations essential for implementing waste heat storage solutions, this study offers valuable lessons and decision support for urban energy planners worldwide. Its case-based insights aim to guide policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers in building more resilient and sustainable urban energy systems.
References
[1] Rutherford, J., & Coutard, O. (2014). Urban energy transitions: places, processes and politics of socio-technical change. Urban studies, 51(7), 1353-1377.
Bulkeley, H., Castán Broto, V. and Maassen, A. (2014) ‘Low-carbon transitions and the reconfiguration of urban infrastructure’, Urban Studies, 51(7), pp. 1471–1486.
[2] Haarstad, H. (2016). Where are urban energy transitions governed? Conceptualizing the complex governance arrangements for low-carbon mobility in Europe. Cities, 54, 4-10.
| Keywords | Urban Energy Transitions; Cross-Sector Governance; Waste Heat Storage; Sustainable Planning |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
