Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications
Energy policy for energy sovereignty: Can policy tools enhance energy sovereignty?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-15-2020
Volume
205
Journal
Solar Energy
First Page
109
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.1016/j.solener.2020.05.056
Last Page
112
Abstract
The concept of energy sovereignty redefines the priorities for decision making regarding energy systems while encouraging increased reliance on renewable energy technologies like solar. Energy sovereignty involves centering the inherent right of humans and communities to make decisions about the energy systems they use, including decisions about the sources, scales, and forms of ownership that structure energy access. Current U.S energy policy does not center concerns of energy sovereignty, and in many cases may work against it. Policies to enhance energy sovereignty can accelerate electricity decarbonization while also empowering community scale decision making and offering communities control to reduce the myriad externalities associated with the fossil-fuel energy system.