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Environmental sustainability

Tackling New Research Questions in Energy Transition: The System of Provision Approach

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study published in Applied Energy has shed light on the complexities of sustainable energy transitions. The research, conducted by investigators at Polytechnic University Milan, emphasizes the need to integrate political economy and ecology perspectives to understand the socio-technical systems driving energy consumption. The study concludes that a bottom-up framework, known as the System of Provision (SoP) approach, can provide valuable insights into consumption behaviors, social relations, and organizational structures in the energy sector. This research has significant implications for policymakers and energy researchers seeking to develop more effective sustainable energy transition strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The System of Provision (SoP) approach connects social practices, cultural norms, and consumer agency with broader economic structures, recognizing energy consumption as an integral part of daily life.
  • The SoP approach offers a bottom-up framework to understand the roles of agents and systemic factors in sustainable energy transitions, highlighting the importance of bridging micro-level behaviors with macro-level policies.
  • Practical insights for applying the SoP approach in empirical studies have been outlined, including key elements such as agents, structures, processes, relations, and material cultures.
  • Geographical contexts, provisioning systems, and methodological options for both detached and engaged research are also discussed.
  • The main critiques and weaknesses of the SoP approach are addressed, providing alternatives for moving forward research in the energy sector.
  • Giorgio Locatelli, Polytechnic University Milan, led the research team, with additional authors including Giacomo Dei, Paolo Trucco, and Benito Mignacca.

Statistics:

  • The study emphasizes the need to invest in sustainable energy research, with a focus on developing more effective transition strategies.
  • The SoP approach has been applied in various studies, including those focusing on consumption behaviors, social relations, and organizational structures in the energy sector.
  • The interdisciplinary nature of the SoP approach, combining social, economic, and cultural perspectives, is a key strength of the research.
  • The study concludes by highlighting the importance of developing novel research inquiries into emergent modalities of practice, cognitive frameworks, and organizational structures in the provisioning of energy.

Sources:

  • Tackling New Research Questions In Energy Transition: the System of Provision Approach. Applied Energy, 2025;393.
  • NewsRx. Investigators at Polytechnic University Milan Discuss Findings in Sustainability Research (Tackling New Research Questions In Energy Transition: the System of Provision Approach). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. September 5, 2025; p 485.

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