Ronan Bolton
Biographic Data
| ID | 3721046 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Ronan Bolton |
| GIVEN NAMES | Ronan |
| FAMILY NAME | Bolton |
| SIGNATURE | BOLTON R |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Edinburgh |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-3465-4013 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 13 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 45 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 13 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2013 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Accelerated energy transitions and electricity transmission
Non-technical summary Europe’s transition to renewable energy depends not only on deploying more wind and solar farms but also on upgrading the electricity grids that connect them to where electricity is needed. However, insufficient progress in expanding high-voltage transmission networks is threatening further decarbonisation. This research examines two major cross-border grid projects aiming at linking Norway with Germany (NordLink) and the UK…
Low carbon technologies and the grid
The relationship between net zero transition and the regulation of electricity networks. • Transforming the networks will require a reconfiguration of incumbent regulatory regimes. • Net zero and the diffusion of low carbon technologies presents fundamental uncertainties. • An investigation of how the British energy regulator is managing uncertainties around net zero. • Key findings are generalised for countries with net zero commitments and libe…
Negotiating risks in electricity market regimes
Unpacking the strategy of an energy incumbent
In recent years a growing number of oil and gas companies have engaged in the energy transition. As a result, it has been claimed that these organisations have the potential to play a significant role in accelerating the energy transition. However, there remains a lack of research into the internal processes through which oil and gas companies establish and develop strategy for such engagement. This research aims to fill that gap through an in-de…
Accelerating transitions? Planning for decarbonisation in local and regional energy systems
Local and regional energy systems are recognised as an important area of the global transition to clean energy, but one which requires novel approaches to energy governance. In this paper, we frame local and regional energy systems as experimental spaces for the introduction of new technologies and processes. We reflect on certain acceleration conditions that are needed to move beyond this experimentation phase to meet transition goals, and in pa…
Embedding broader values in the regulatory model
Customer engagement processes introduced in energy network regulation in Britain have incentivised networks to think beyond economic efficiency. To this end, the regulator introduced a new incentive: the Consumer Value Proposition (CVP), allowing companies to use a monetised metric to gain a financial reward should their investments show additional social and environmental value for customers. Through a case study of the RIIO2 natural gas distrib…
Remaking the regulatory model? Taking stock of ten years of customer engagement in Britain’s energy networks
Ambiguous interventions
Grand visions and pragmatic integration
Governing sustainability transitions through business model innovation
This paper examines the role of innovative business models in the transformation of socio-technical systems. Focusing on decentralised energy technologies, we explore business model innovation in the context of a transition towards a more sustainable energy system. We conduct an empirical study of two Energy Services Company (ESCo) models for the deployment of combined heat and power with district heating (CHP/DH) infrastructure in the UK. Based …
Infrastructure transformation as a socio-technical process — Implications for the governance of energy distribution networks in the UK
This paper seeks to uncover and examine the complex set of governance challenges associated with transforming energy distribution networks, which play a key enabling role in a low carbon energy transition. We argue that, although the importance of such infrastructure networks to sustainability and low carbon transitions in the energy, water and mobility sectors is clear, there is relatively little understanding of the social and institutional dim…
A socio-technical perspective on low carbon investment challenges – Insights for UK energy policy
The UK is moving into a new phase of energy governance which is characterised by significant demand for new investment to meet long term climate policy objectives and to address shorter term energy security challenges. This paper examines how contributions from the socio-technical systems approach can be operationalised to address the policy and societal challenge of large scale investments in low carbon energy infrastructure. Research on socio-t…
Urban Infrastructure Dynamics
This paper explores the interaction between urban-scale energy infrastructure and the regulatory regime which underpins the liberalisation of energy systems. Using the example of district energy in a number of UK cities, we outline the ways in which the structure of national electricity markets and the activities of the energy regulator influence and shape the development of low-carbon infrastructure in cities. We draw upon recent contributions t…
A socio-technical perspective on low carbon investment challenges – Insights for UK energy policy
The UK is moving into a new phase of energy governance which is characterised by significant demand for new investment to meet long term climate policy objectives and to address shorter term energy security challenges. This paper examines how contributions from the socio-technical systems approach can be operationalised to address the policy and societal challenge of large scale investments in low carbon energy infrastructure. Research on socio-t…
Unpacking the strategy of an energy incumbent
In recent years a growing number of oil and gas companies have engaged in the energy transition. As a result, it has been claimed that these organisations have the potential to play a significant role in accelerating the energy transition. However, there remains a lack of research into the internal processes through which oil and gas companies establish and develop strategy for such engagement. This research aims to fill that gap through an in-de…
Urban Infrastructure Dynamics
This paper explores the interaction between urban-scale energy infrastructure and the regulatory regime which underpins the liberalisation of energy systems. Using the example of district energy in a number of UK cities, we outline the ways in which the structure of national electricity markets and the activities of the energy regulator influence and shape the development of low-carbon infrastructure in cities. We draw upon recent contributions t…
Ambiguous interventions
Grand visions and pragmatic integration
Accelerating transitions? Planning for decarbonisation in local and regional energy systems
Local and regional energy systems are recognised as an important area of the global transition to clean energy, but one which requires novel approaches to energy governance. In this paper, we frame local and regional energy systems as experimental spaces for the introduction of new technologies and processes. We reflect on certain acceleration conditions that are needed to move beyond this experimentation phase to meet transition goals, and in pa…
Embedding broader values in the regulatory model
Customer engagement processes introduced in energy network regulation in Britain have incentivised networks to think beyond economic efficiency. To this end, the regulator introduced a new incentive: the Consumer Value Proposition (CVP), allowing companies to use a monetised metric to gain a financial reward should their investments show additional social and environmental value for customers. Through a case study of the RIIO2 natural gas distrib…
Remaking the regulatory model? Taking stock of ten years of customer engagement in Britain’s energy networks
Urban Infrastructure Dynamics
This paper explores the interaction between urban-scale energy infrastructure and the regulatory regime which underpins the liberalisation of energy systems. Using the example of district energy in a number of UK cities, we outline the ways in which the structure of national electricity markets and the activities of the energy regulator influence and shape the development of low-carbon infrastructure in cities. We draw upon recent contributions t…
A socio-technical perspective on low carbon investment challenges – Insights for UK energy policy
The UK is moving into a new phase of energy governance which is characterised by significant demand for new investment to meet long term climate policy objectives and to address shorter term energy security challenges. This paper examines how contributions from the socio-technical systems approach can be operationalised to address the policy and societal challenge of large scale investments in low carbon energy infrastructure. Research on socio-t…
Infrastructure transformation as a socio-technical process — Implications for the governance of energy distribution networks in the UK
This paper seeks to uncover and examine the complex set of governance challenges associated with transforming energy distribution networks, which play a key enabling role in a low carbon energy transition. We argue that, although the importance of such infrastructure networks to sustainability and low carbon transitions in the energy, water and mobility sectors is clear, there is relatively little understanding of the social and institutional dim…
Governing sustainability transitions through business model innovation
This paper examines the role of innovative business models in the transformation of socio-technical systems. Focusing on decentralised energy technologies, we explore business model innovation in the context of a transition towards a more sustainable energy system. We conduct an empirical study of two Energy Services Company (ESCo) models for the deployment of combined heat and power with district heating (CHP/DH) infrastructure in the UK. Based …
Ambiguous interventions
Grand visions and pragmatic integration
Remaking the regulatory model? Taking stock of ten years of customer engagement in Britain’s energy networks
Embedding broader values in the regulatory model
Customer engagement processes introduced in energy network regulation in Britain have incentivised networks to think beyond economic efficiency. To this end, the regulator introduced a new incentive: the Consumer Value Proposition (CVP), allowing companies to use a monetised metric to gain a financial reward should their investments show additional social and environmental value for customers. Through a case study of the RIIO2 natural gas distrib…
Negotiating risks in electricity market regimes
Unpacking the strategy of an energy incumbent
In recent years a growing number of oil and gas companies have engaged in the energy transition. As a result, it has been claimed that these organisations have the potential to play a significant role in accelerating the energy transition. However, there remains a lack of research into the internal processes through which oil and gas companies establish and develop strategy for such engagement. This research aims to fill that gap through an in-de…
Accelerating transitions? Planning for decarbonisation in local and regional energy systems
Local and regional energy systems are recognised as an important area of the global transition to clean energy, but one which requires novel approaches to energy governance. In this paper, we frame local and regional energy systems as experimental spaces for the introduction of new technologies and processes. We reflect on certain acceleration conditions that are needed to move beyond this experimentation phase to meet transition goals, and in pa…
Low carbon technologies and the grid
The relationship between net zero transition and the regulation of electricity networks. • Transforming the networks will require a reconfiguration of incumbent regulatory regimes. • Net zero and the diffusion of low carbon technologies presents fundamental uncertainties. • An investigation of how the British energy regulator is managing uncertainties around net zero. • Key findings are generalised for countries with net zero commitments and libe…
Accelerated energy transitions and electricity transmission
Non-technical summary Europe’s transition to renewable energy depends not only on deploying more wind and solar farms but also on upgrading the electricity grids that connect them to where electricity is needed. However, insufficient progress in expanding high-voltage transmission networks is threatening further decarbonisation. This research examines two major cross-border grid projects aiming at linking Norway with Germany (NordLink) and the UK…
Business (9 works) · Economics (9 works) · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance (8 works) · Integrated Energy Systems Optimization (7 works) · Electricity (6 works) · Engineering (6 works) · Computer Science (5 works) · Industrial organization (5 works) · Political science (5 works) · Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy (5 works)