Exploring Factors Influencing Energy Transition Towards Sustainable Smart Cities from Sociotechnical Perspective:

Abstract

Cities serve as centers of innovation; however, urbanization brings along its own set of challenges, such as overpopulation and unstable energy supplies. Traditional energy systems have led to high energy consumption levels, negatively impacting sustainability, infrastructure, services, and the environment. This is evident in oil-rich countries such as Iraq, where dependence on petroleum resources has resulted in structural imbalances that contributed to destabilizing the countrys security. Smart city initiatives offer innovative solutions to these challenges, but a smart city may not necessarily be sustainable. To be truly sustainable, smart people with an awareness of sustainability are required. The energy transition is not just a technical term relying on renewable energy resources and smart grids to improve the energy system. It is also a socio-technical and socio-economic process, with social and economic aspects interacting to strengthen or weaken the technical aspect of the transition process. Regulation and legislation play a vital role in all transition phases, and without proper implementation, the transition process cannot be successful. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately identify the stakeholders involved and explore their background knowledge, perceptions, and readiness for policy implementation. This thesis examines the influence of energy transition and its relationship with the smart city concept and diagnoses the endeavor of developing countries to overcome the expected challenges, particularly Iraq. The literature on energy transition was reviewed using a PRISMA analysis, identifying 41 determinants related to decision-making mechanisms and social and technical influences. The study presents insights to the governments to sustain the residential projects by analyzing the power consumption pattern, focusing on Bismayah City in Baghdad. This research confirmed that solar energy share could contribute 29.8% of Bismayah power consumption. Furthermore, it proposed that adopting DES will increase the solar PV share according to reliable experts by conducting MCDM theory through the AHP model. Additionally, it examines the motivations and orientations of technical staff in adopting distributed energy systems and proposes a hybrid model to identify the factors for technology acceptance and the motives that drive adoption. With structural equation modeling, this thesis concludes that security concerns and awareness levels are crucial in adopting distributed energy systems. At the same time, the staff specialists do not expect a positive performance impact on their behavioral intention to happen toward distributed energy systems implementation. This research provides valuable insights for the Iraqi government to successfully raise the level of sustainability in urban life. Moreover, it provides updated information about the energy transition drivers for researchers, stakeholders, practitioners, and investors. This research represents a valid base and motivation for further research in developing countries endowed with fossil fuel resources and renewable energy potential to achieve sustainable development objectives.