Energy and Complexity (Editorial)

Abstract

Sustainable energy systems are complex sociotechnical systems with a social network of many players that “together” develop, operate, and maintain the technical infrastructure. No single player controls the system, but their actions are coordinated through a range of institutions—informal and formal rules—and regulations. As the control is distributed among actors, the overall system behaviour (at different time scales) emerges from operating practices and characteristics, from (dis)investment decisions, and from other aspects of the players’ strategies.