Renewable energy adoption in the built environment: a sociotechnical network approach

• Published in: Intelligent buildings international (London) 2021-01, Vol.13 (1), p.33-50
• Main Authors: Weerasinghe, R. P. Nilmini P., Yang, Rebecca Jing, Too, Eric, Le, Tiendung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Building codes; Building envelopes; building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV); building sector; Built environment; Construction industry; Energy storage; Energy transition; Incentives; Literature reviews; meta-network analysis; Network analysis; Photovoltaic cells; Photovoltaics; Renewable energy; Renewable energy deployment; Renewable resources; Social organization; sociotechnical system; Storage systems; Urban environments
• ISSN: 1750-8975; 1756-6932
• DOI: 10.1080/17508975.2020.1752134

The transition to renewable energy system in the building industry is a complex process comprising various technology elements and influenced by multiple stakeholders and various functions. Without unravelling how technical systems are embedded with social components, the opportunity for successful implementation is compromised. Therefore, this paper examines the influence of sociotechnical elements on renewable energy uptake in the building industry. This study adopts a sociotechnical network perspective and proposes a meta-network analysis (multi-link and multi-node network) to assess complex sociotechnical systems and uses an example of building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) uptake to demonstrate the approach. A comprehensive literature review and 20 interviews assisted in the development of the sociotechnical network. The adoption process is transformed to a three-node network,with nodes as social actors, technical artefacts and actions (drivers that influence the deployment). The findings reveal significant sociotechnical elements as adopters/clients: governments, BIPV panels, energy storage systems and the building. The system performances, uniform standards, regulations and building codes, stakeholder collaborations, incentives and upfront cost are highlighted as critical drivers influencing deployment. The goal of the study is to inform practitioners and researchers how social and technical dynamics shape successful renewable energy transition in the building sector.