Exploring policy options for a transition to sustainable heating system diffusion using an agent-based simulation

Authored by Bertha Maya Sopha, Christian A. Klockner, Edgar G. Hertwich

Date Published: 2011-05

DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2011.02.041

Sponsors: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Norway

Platforms: Repast Eclipse

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

Change in home heating to more efficient and renewable systems is important for a sound climate policy. The present paper aims to identify potential interventions for the uptake of wood-pellet heating in Norway using an agent-based model (ABM). The theoretically based, empirically founded, agent-based simulation demonstrates that financial support, i.e., a stable wood-pellet price, and technical development, i.e., functional reliability improvement, have to be established all at the same time for a successful wood-pellet market to start. Furthermore, a soft intervention through persuading households to use environmentally beneficial heating system is not a promising driver for wood-pellet diffusion. Limitations and suggestions for future work are also discussed. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tags

agent-based simulation Heating system Policy scenarios