Energy systems in transition and post-transition

A short overview of the most significant theoretical concepts of transition is presented. The concept of the energy system as a cluster of structures surrounded by external structures is also presented and discussed. The indicators of the individual structures, as well as of the surrounding (environment) structure, are proposed and discussed. A short overview of the most significant theoretical concepts of energy transition is also presented. The indicators of energy transition are presented and discussed too. The problem of energy just transition based on the literature survey is particularly considered. Further, a concept of the power system’s competitiveness on the energy transition trajectory is introduced with appropriate indicators. Two types of indicators are considered. First one comprises costs, carbon dioxide emissions, and energy produced, while the other indicate power system’s dispatchability. The concept, as well as the appropriate results of competitiveness analysis of real power systems in nine European countries in a hypothetical energy transition, are presented and discussed. The results point out that in each considered country, the power system is more competitive, regarding both indicators, on transition trajectory from solid fossil fuels to nuclear power plants than on the trajectory from solid fossil fuels to wind turbines. Problems of secondary and final energy storage in the energy transition are considered too. The concept of energy post-transition is explained. The concept of energy technology competitiveness in energy post-transition is presented and discussed. The results of the competitiveness analysis of five energy technologies in post-transition are presented and discussed. The results point out that in post transition the best competitiveness is obtained after the energy transition from solid fossil fuels to nuclear power plants.