Innovations and Techno-ecological Transition [Hardcover]

This book aims to present a systemic perspective to energetic transition to a discarbonated society implying an increase of energetic efficiency of current production process, new way of energy production - integration of renewable energies, re-use of wastes. Main societal functions are analyzed in order to highlight the ongoing process of technological and non-technological innovations: transport and mobility, food, building. The purpose of this book is to analyze from a global perspective the energetic innovative system on building and to understand the limits of its development and potential new actions.

Preface vii

Introduction  ix

Chapter 1. A Necessary Transition? 1

1.1. Socio-technical systems facing their limits  2

1.1.1. Meeting global demographic pressures  3

1.1.2. Limiting the depletion of natural resources  4

1.1.3. Restrain environmental degradation  5

1.2. An analytical framework under construction: the Transition Studies 7

1.2.1. The emergence of “Transition Studies”  7

1.2.2. The transition as a process of socio-technical systems transformation 8

1.2.3. A transition supported by a systemic vision of innovation 11

1.3. Eco-innovations: facilitators of the transition?  19

1.3.1. Innovation for the environment 19

1.3.2. New management and innovation practices 22

Chapter 2. Energy Transitions 27

2.1. A socially structuring energy model  29

2.2. Fundamentals and characterization of the current energy system 31

2.2.1. Energy and the energy system 31

2.2.2. From priml#‘