How is flexibility and energy related to justice, equity and sustainable development? As the share of renewable energy production is increasing, such as wind and solar power, the extent to which energy consumption must adapt to available supply is gaining importance. By asking energy users to be more flexible in the use of energy, energy providers can more efficiently balance demand and supply. However, current business models for mediating user flexibility overlook the fact that different users have different capacities of providing flexibility. In this conceptual paper, Frans Libertson outlines the factors that dictates user flexibility, and the ways in which current business models “reward” some users while “punishing” others. Thus, understanding the different user flexibilities is fundamental for transitioning to sustainable and just energy systems.
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