Democratising energy systems through open-source governance and participatory regulation

Increases in retail energy prices, tough carbon emission targets and increased reliance on imported sources of energy are driving a change in the UK energy supply system. There is a need to transition to a new energy supply regime, one that is resilient to shocks in market price, adaptable to changing patterns of demand and one that can integrate renewable energy systems at all scales. Such a transition in energy infrastructure will require a shift in the accompanying regulatory regime to one geared towards the long-term strategic development of energy and guided by the need to reduce carbon emissions and vulnerability, rather than relatively short-term concerns emphasizing competition and cost. This paper reviews the regulatory institutions for energy markets in the UK and suggests that the current top down orientated ‘command and control’ regime is no longer fit for purpose. It argues a need to transition from the large scale, fossil fuel dominated, centralised energy generating system, to a multi-scalar, renewable, decentralised system with appropriate regulatory system. The paper suggests one such approach which draws upon ‘open-source’ principles which assist in democratizing the provision of energy through bottom up revision of energy regulation.