Application of Systems Thinking to energy demand reduction

The need to reduce energy demand has been firmly established, but progress so far has been limited. This paper postulates that a Systems Thinking approach could address some of the weaknesses of current policies, which include a lack of deep understanding into what really drives energy demand and how to change it at the user level. Several systems analysis tools are reviewed: the energy system can be conceptualized as a sociotechnical regime within a Multi Level Perspective framework, with regime changes a result of landscape pressures; alternatively, subsystems within the demand side system can be classified by problem-context type. Regarding applications of systems methodologies, a case study into the use of systems methods at Sustain Ltd by their low-carbon buildings practice is given. A non-capital approach that combines technology optimization, behavior change, and information feedback is expected to produce quick and low-cost energy savings within a school.