Sociotechnical transition pathway for the energy sector in Santa Catarina
from the coal region to green hydrogen
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14488/1676-1901.v26i1.5728Keywords:
Green hydrogen, Coal, Energy transition, Multi-Level Perspective, Transition pathwayAbstract
The energy transition in the coal region of Santa Catarina toward green hydrogen (GH2) represents a complex sociotechnical change driven by climate pressures, technological advances, and environmental policies. Based on the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), this study analyzes the gradual replacement of coal with GH2 under the Transformation transition pathway. The methodology involves a literature review and analysis of the landscape, regime, and niche levels proposed by the MLP. The results indicate a progressive transition between 2025 and 2055. From 2025 to 2035, regulations and financial incentives will challenge the coal regime, while GH2 will emerge in pilot projects. Between 2035 and 2045, technological advances and cost reductions will make GH2 more viable, encouraging investment reallocation and the reconfiguration or deactivation of thermoelectric plants. From 2045 to 2055, GH2 is expected to consolidate as the dominant energy source, with adapted mining companies, retrained workers, and a decrease in emissions from electricity generation and transportation. The discussion analyzes the comparison between the pre- and post-transition sociotechnical systems across the three levels of the MLP. Finally, it is concluded that the adoption of GH2 requires alignment among public policies, private investments, and workforce training.
Downloads
References
ACORDI, J. et al. Waste valorization of coal mining waste from a circular economy perspective: a brazilian case study based on environmental and physicochemical features. Resources Policy, [S. l.], v. 80, p. 103243, 2023.
CHO, A.; KIM, H.; PARK, S. Resurgence of the hydrogen energy in South Korea's government strategies from 2005 to 2019. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, [S. l.], v. 65, p. 844-854, 2024.
DAMMAN, S. et al. A hybrid perspective on energy transition pathways: is hydrogen the key for Norway? Energy Research & Social Science, [S. l.], v. 78, p. 102116, 2021.
DINCER, I.; ACAR, C. Innovation in hydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, [S. l.], v. 42, n. 22, p. 14843-14864, 2017.
DOMENICO, M. D. et al. Gasification of Brazilian coal-chars with CO2: effect of samples⠹ properties on reactivity and kinetic modeling. Chemical Engineering Communications, [S. l.], v. 206, n. 2, p. 158-168, 18 jun. 2018. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00986445.2018.1477763.
FOXON, T. J.; HAMMOND, G. P.; PEARSON, P. J. G. Developing transition pathways for a low carbon electricity system in the UK. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, [S. l.], v. 77, n. 8, p. 1203-1213, out. 2010.
GARCÍA-GARCÍA, P.; CARPINTERO, O.; BUENDÍA, L. Just energy transitions to low carbon economies: a review of the concept and its effects on labour and income. Energy Re-search & Social Science, [S. l.], v. 70, 2020.
GEELS, F. W. Technological transitions as evolutionary reconfiguration processes: a multi-level perspective and a case-study. Research Policy, [S. l.], v. 31, n. 8-9, p. 1257-1274, 2002.
GEELS, F. W.; SCHOT, J. Typology of sociotechnical transition pathways. Research policy, [S. l.], v. 36, n. 3, p. 399-417, 2007.
GITELMAN, L. D.; KOZHEVNIKOV, M. V. New Approaches to the Concept of Energy Transition in the Times of Energy Crisis. Sustainability, [S. l.], v. 15, n. 6, 2023.
GOMES, R. T. Avaliação de viabilidade técnico-econômica de sistema CCS em uma termelétrica brasileira a carvão. 2023. 156 f. Dissertação (Mestrado) - Engenharia Mecânica, Unicamp, 2023.
HIRT, L. F.; SAHAKIAN, M.; TRUTNEVYTE, E. What socio-technical regimes foster solar energy champions? Analysing uneven photovoltaic diffusion at a subnational level in Switzerland. Energy Research & Social Science, [S. L.], v. 74, p. 101976, abr. 2021. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.101976.
HOFMAN, P. S.; ELZEN, B. E.; GEELS, F. W. Sociotechnical scenarios as a new policy tool to explore system innovations: co-evolution of technology and society in the Netherland’s electricity domain. Innovation, [S. l.], v. 6, n. 2, p. 344-360, 2004.
KÖHLER, J. et al. An agenda for sustainability transitions research: state of the art and future directions. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, [S. l.], v. 31, p. 1-32, 2019.
MARKARD, J.; RAVEN, R.; TRUFFER, B. Sustainability transitions: an emerging field of research and its prospects. Research Policy, [S. l.], v. 41, n. 6, p. 955-967, jul. 2012.
MECKLING, J.; STERNER, T.; WAGNER, G. Policy sequencing toward decarbonization. Nature Energy, [S. l.], v. 2, n. 12, p. 918-922, 2017.
ÖHMAN, A.; KARAKAYA, E.; URBAN, F. Enabling the transition to a fossil-free steel sector: the conditions for technology transfer for hydrogen-based steelmaking in Europe. Energy Research & Social Science, [S. l.], v .84, p. 2022.
RIP, A.; KEMP, R. Technological change. In: Human choice and climate change: Vol. II, resources and technology. Ohio: Battelle Press, 1998. p. 327-399.
RISCO-BRAVO, A. et al. From green hydrogen to electricity: a review on recent advances, challenges, and opportunities on powerto-hydrogen-to-power systems. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, [S. l.], v. 189, p. 113930, jan. 2024. Elsevier BV. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.113930.
ROSENBLOOM, D. Pathways: an emerging concept for the theory and governance of low-carbon transitions. Global Environmental Change, [S. l.], v. 43, p. 37-50, 2017.
SAREEN, S.; HAARSTAD, H. Bridging socio-technical and justice aspects of sustainable energy transitions. Applied Energy, [S. l.], v. 228, p. 624-632, out. 2018.
SCHWABE, J. Regime-driven niches and institutional entrepreneurs: adding hydrogen to regional energy systems in Germany. Energy Research & Social Science, [S. l.], v. 108, p. 103357, 2024.
SEEG. Sistema de Estimativas de Emissões e Remoções de Gases de Efeito Estufa. Disponível em: https://seeg.eco.br/. Acesso em: 18 jan. 2025.
SMITH, A. et al. The governance of sustainable socio-technical transitions. Research Policy, [S. l.], v. 34, n. 10, p. 1491-1510, dez. 2005.
SOARES, P. S. M.; SANTOS, M.D.C.; POSSA, M.V. (Eds.). O Carvão Brasileiro: tecnologia e meio ambiente. Rio de Janeiro: ETEM/MCT, 2008.
THOMSEN, M. Developing a Green Hydrogen Economy in Brazil: obstacles and enablers. 2023. 75 f. Dissertação (Doutorado) - International Management, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Lisboa, 2023
TIGRE, M. A.; SETZER, J. Human Rights and Climate Change for Climate Litigation in Brazil and Beyond: An Analysis of the Climate Fund Decision. Georgetown Journal of International Law, Washington D.C., v. 54, n. 4, p. 593, 2023.
TIGRE, M. A. et al. Just Transition Litigation in Latin America: an initial categorization of climate litigation cases amid the energy transition. New York: Sabin Center For Climate Change Law, 2023. 58p.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Revista Produção Online
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The Journal reserves the right to make spelling and grammatical changes, aiming to keep a default language, respecting, however, the style of the authors.
The published work is responsibility of the (s) author (s), while the Revista Produção Online is only responsible for the evaluation of the paper. The Revista Produção Online is not responsible for any violations of Law No. 9.610 / 1998, the Copyright Act.
The journal allows the authors to keep the copyright of accepted articles, without restrictions
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License .
