The governance of innovation diffusion – a socio-technical analysis of energy policy

This paper describes a dynamic price mechanism to coordinate electric power generation from micro Combined Heat and Power (micro-CHP) systems in a network of households. It is assumed that the households are prosumers, i.e. both producers and consumers of electricity. The control is done on household level in a completely distributed manner. Avoiding a centralized controller both eases computation complexity and preserves communication structure in the network. Local information is used to decide to turn on or off the micro-CHP, but through price signals between the prosumers the network as a whole operates in a cooperative way

Changing energy systems and markets from the ground up - citizens, cooperatives, and cities

This chapter provides an overview of the changing role of citizens, cooperatives and cities and the (non-)state actors they engage with in European energy systems. Where their changing role is driven by ‘prosumerism’, especially among citizens and cooperatives, we are witnessing demand shifting away from traditional supply structures. Where this is driven by intermediaries, especially in the context of local authorities and cities, we are witnessing a reduction in demand. A case study of energy scenarios in Great Britain provides an insight into the potentially transformative role of citizen, cooperative and city engagement vis-à-vis the competitive pressures of liberalized markets in shaping energy demand and supply. It concludes with insights into the knock-on effects of changing energy system and market arrangements around citizens, cooperatives and cities on energy politics and policy on the one hand, and energy trade and geopolitics on the multi-level governance of energy systems on the other

Plant-Based Cheeses: A Systematic Review of Sensory Evaluation Studies and Strategies to Increase Consumer Acceptance

Animal protein provides unique sensory and textural properties to foods that are not easily replicated when replaced with plant-based alternatives. Food scientists and researchers are currently developing innovative approaches to improve their physical and sensory characteristics in plant-based analogs. In terms of plant-based cheese substitutes (PBCS), soy is the most commonly used plant-based protein but is associated with undesirable sensory attributes (i.e., beany and gritty). In order to determine if the approaches result in a significant improvement in sensory quality and liking, sensory evaluation is employed. The aim of this review is to summarize the original literature (n = 12) relating to 100% PBCS which utilizes sensory evaluation methods. Overall, a major theme identified in this review is the innovative strategies used to increase acceptance of PBCS, whether products are aimed at improving existing non-dairy-based cheese formulations or to more closely mimic a conventional dairy-based cheese product. Studies demonstrate processing and fermentation of soybeans and blending of non-dairy milks are potential ways to improve consumer liking of PBCS. A secondary focus is to discuss the current sensory methodology carried out in the reviewed literature. Future studies should consider using more specific measures of flavor and mouthfeel, integrate evaluation of consumer liking with instrumental textural methods, and use a larger more diverse group of consumers. The outcome of this review is to highlight the importance of integrating sensory science in order to help facilitate the improvement of the sensory and quality attributes of PBCS and streamline product development

Temperature Dependence of Facet Ridges in Crystal Surfaces

The equilibrium crystal shape of a body-centered solid-on-solid (BCSOS) model on a honeycomb lattice is studied numerically. We focus on the facet ridge endpoints (FRE). These points are equivalent to one dimensional KPZ-type growth in the exactly soluble square lattice BCSOS model. In our more general context the transfer matrix is not stochastic at the FRE points, and a more complex structure develops. We observe ridge lines sticking into the rough phase where thesurface orientation jumps inside the rounded part of the crystal. Moreover, the rough-to-faceted edges become first-order with a jump in surface orientation, between the FRE point and Pokrovsky-Talapov (PT) type critical endpoints. The latter display anisotropic scaling with exponent $z=3$ instead of familiar PT value $z=2$.Comment: 12 pages, 19 figure

Innovative procurement frameworks for energy performance contracting in the UK public sector

Procurement Frameworks for Energy Performance Contracting (PFEPCs) simplify the process of negotiating, developing and implementing Energy Performance Contracts (EPCs) with Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). This paper analyses their role in promoting the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures in the UK public sector. Compared to conventional approaches to procuring goods and services involving detailed specifications, PFEPCs translate the challenge of upgrading, retrofitting and replacing energy related equipment and infrastructures into required outputs through functional specifications. The innovativeness of specific PFEPCs often lies less in the diffusion of ‘developmental’ innovative energy efficient solutions, although partner bidding approaches create favourable conditions for innovation. However increasing standardisation and bundling prove successful at lowering transaction cost, which enables ESCOs to address projects which would not be considered in the absence of PFEPCs due to high transaction costs. This particular organisational innovation opens the market up to new approaches to implementing costeffective energy efficiency measures

Capturing the value of community fuel poverty alleviation

This report summarises the findings of the ‘Capturing the value of community energy’ business collaboration project. Completed between September 2020 and January 2021, a team of researchers from University of Bristol (Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow Colin Nolden and PhD Researchers Daniela Rossade and Peter Thomas) analysed company data stretching back to 2015 from Energise Sussex Coast (ESC) and South East London Community Energy (SELCE), two non-profit social enterprises that seek to act co-operatively to tackle fuel poverty and the climate crisis. Both have won multiple awards for their work which includes community owned renewable energy schemes and tackling fuel poverty, which involves reaching out to vulnerable members of their communities to help them understand their energy bills, switch suppliers and reduce their energy demand. This business collaboration involved the analysis of their fuel poverty alleviation data to gain a better understanding of what fuel poverty advice and energy saving action works and what does not. We pursued a three-pronged approach to the data analysis. Firstly, we tried to establish comparability among the quantitative datasets to compare their approach, outreach and success in tackling fuel poverty. Secondly, we calculated the Social Return on Investment (SROI) using one specific dataset from 2018/19. Thirdly, we analysed the qualitative data to gain a deeper understanding of links between organisational approaches, fuel poverty alleviation interventions, data capture and management, and the funding environment. Due to complicated and highly variable reporting procedures it was only possible to establish comparable datasets on a few metrics which reflect requirements set by funders. The SROI calculation revealed that community fuel poverty alleviation efforts undertaken by companies such as SELCE and ESC has a SROI of 9-10:1 for every £1 invested. The qualitative analysis revealed the systematic underreporting of such value as funders’ targets are narrowly defined around numbers rather than genuinely lifting people out of fuel poverty. This report concludes with some recommendations to improve the operational environment for community fuel poverty alleviation services, especially given their invaluable efforts in reaching out to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities