Visions of Energy Futures

Imagining and Innovating Low-Carbon Transitions

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Energy, Technology, Power Resources, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Public Policy
Cover of the book Visions of Energy Futures by Benjamin K. Sovacool, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Benjamin K. Sovacool ISBN: 9780429632501
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 4, 2019
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Benjamin K. Sovacool
ISBN: 9780429632501
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 4, 2019
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

This book examines the visions, fantasies, frames, discourses, imaginaries, and expectations associated with six state-of-the-art energy systems—nuclear power, hydrogen fuel cells, shale gas, clean coal, smart meters, and electric vehicles—playing a key role in current deliberations about low-carbon energy supply and use. 

Visions of Energy Futures: Imagining and Innovating Low-Carbon Transitions unveils what the future of energy systems could look like, and how their meanings are produced, often alongside moments of contestation.  Theoretically, it analyzes these technological case studies with emerging concepts from various disciplines: utopianism (history of technology), symbolic convergence (communication studies), technological frames (social construction of technology), discursive coalitions (discourse analysis and linguistics), sociotechnical imaginaries (science and technology studies), and the sociology of expectations (innovation studies, future studies). It draws from these cases to create a synthetic set of dichotomies and frameworks for energy futures based on original data collected across two global epistemic communities— nuclear physicists and hydrogen engineers—and experts in Eastern Europe and the Nordic region, stakeholders in South Africa, and newspapers in the United Kingdom. This book is motivated by the premise that tackling climate change via low-carbon energy systems and practices is one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century, and that success will require not only new energy technologies, but also new ways of understanding language, visions, and discursive politics. The discursive creation of the energy systems of tomorrow are propagated in polity, hoping to be realized as the material fact of the future, but processed in conflicting ways with underlying tensions as to how contemporary societies ought to be ordered.

This book will be essential reading for students and scholars of energy policy, energy and environment, and technology assessment.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book examines the visions, fantasies, frames, discourses, imaginaries, and expectations associated with six state-of-the-art energy systems—nuclear power, hydrogen fuel cells, shale gas, clean coal, smart meters, and electric vehicles—playing a key role in current deliberations about low-carbon energy supply and use. 

Visions of Energy Futures: Imagining and Innovating Low-Carbon Transitions unveils what the future of energy systems could look like, and how their meanings are produced, often alongside moments of contestation.  Theoretically, it analyzes these technological case studies with emerging concepts from various disciplines: utopianism (history of technology), symbolic convergence (communication studies), technological frames (social construction of technology), discursive coalitions (discourse analysis and linguistics), sociotechnical imaginaries (science and technology studies), and the sociology of expectations (innovation studies, future studies). It draws from these cases to create a synthetic set of dichotomies and frameworks for energy futures based on original data collected across two global epistemic communities— nuclear physicists and hydrogen engineers—and experts in Eastern Europe and the Nordic region, stakeholders in South Africa, and newspapers in the United Kingdom. This book is motivated by the premise that tackling climate change via low-carbon energy systems and practices is one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century, and that success will require not only new energy technologies, but also new ways of understanding language, visions, and discursive politics. The discursive creation of the energy systems of tomorrow are propagated in polity, hoping to be realized as the material fact of the future, but processed in conflicting ways with underlying tensions as to how contemporary societies ought to be ordered.

This book will be essential reading for students and scholars of energy policy, energy and environment, and technology assessment.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Managerial Planning by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Lutheran Churches in Early Modern Europe by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Picturebooks by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Our National Park Policy by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book From Empires to Imperialism by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Global Competition and Local Networks by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book The Routledge Companion to Consumer Behavior by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Managing Defence in a Democracy by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Prolific Moment by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Charles Diana & Me by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Science Fiction After 1900 by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Weak Constitutionalism by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Thomas Kuhn by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book The Iron Trade of Great Britain by Benjamin K. Sovacool
Cover of the book Tough Fronts by Benjamin K. Sovacool
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy