Understanding the Stakeholders’ Interaction in Complex Energy System: A Systems Viewpoint

This research is an effort to develop holistic analysis from the systems viewpoint to demonstrate the interaction and complexity in the urban energy system focusing on the concept of nearly net-zero energy building. While developing a systematic process for identifying the key shaping forces and stakeholders that may affect the dynamic and complexity of the energy system, the systems thinking approach is applied to show the interaction and interrelationships among technology, policymaking, constructor and occupants’ behavior with highlighting the barriers problems in the urban energy system. Challenges related to communication, time effect, technology regulation, and ethical issue that occur in the current technology-led urban energy system are discussed. As well as explain the causality and intricacy of multiple stakeholders impacted the energy system from various dimensions and values. Moreover, a qualitative system dynamics (SD) model is developed to represent the interactive and interdependent relationship, changing trend, time delay and cause-effect loops to support the goal of nearly net-zero energy building, occupants’ satisfaction and wellbeing, and energy sustainability.