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The energy supply security pyramid: A quantitative framework for planning and policy making
Matthias Sulzer1, Georgios Mavromatidis1, Alejandro Nuñez-Jimenez2
1Empa - Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Urban Energy Systems Laboratory, Überlandstrasse 129, Dübendorf, 8600 Zurich, Switzerland.
Iscience
|May 9, 2025
Summary
Energy supply security (ESS) is a critical but often overlooked aspect of sustainable energy transitions. This study introduces the ESS Pyramid, a framework demonstrating how sustainable energy strategies can enhance energy supply security.
Area of Science:
- Energy Policy
- Sustainable Energy Systems
- Energy Security Analysis
Background:
- Energy supply security (ESS) is a fundamental component of the Energy Trilemma, yet it is often neglected in sustainable energy system design.
- Existing frameworks for energy policy primarily focus on sustainability and equity, with less emphasis on quantifiable ESS metrics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a hierarchical framework, the ESS Pyramid, for assessing energy supply security.
- To define quantitative metrics for each level of the ESS Pyramid to support strategic planning.
- To demonstrate the practical application of the ESS Pyramid using Switzerland's energy transition as a case study.
Main Methods:
- Development of a five-level hierarchical framework (ESS Pyramid) integrating conceptual insights and quantitative metrics.
- Definition of specific metrics for foundational (Self-Production, Autonomy) and higher-order (System Adequacy, Self-Sufficiency, Autarky) ESS requirements.
- Application of the ESS Pyramid to Switzerland's energy transition for practical validation.
Main Results:
- The ESS Pyramid provides a structured approach to quantitatively assess energy supply security across different hierarchical levels.
- The case study illustrates that sustainable energy transitions can be designed to simultaneously improve energy supply security.
- The framework offers a complementary tool for policymakers and energy planners alongside existing sustainability and equity assessments.
Conclusions:
- The ESS Pyramid offers a novel, structured methodology for evaluating and enhancing energy supply security within the broader context of the Energy Trilemma.
- Implementing the ESS Pyramid can guide policy decisions and energy system design towards achieving both sustainability and robust energy supply security.
- This framework empowers stakeholders with quantitative tools to better navigate the complexities of energy transitions.
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