Socio-Techno-Economic Pathways for Sustainable Urban Energy DeveloPment (STEP-UP)

Duration: 05/19 - 04/22

From rapid urbanisation in developing countries such as China to inert and inefficient governance and infrastructure systems in many European cities, the barriers to improving urban energy systems are complex. Socio-Techno-Economic Pathways for Sustainable Urban Energy develoPment (STEP-UP) explores the connections between different social, economic and institutional sectors to support the design of more efficient energy strategies.

Drawing on extensive first-hand research in Beijing, Suzhou (China), Delft (Netherlands) and London (UK), the research will develop a detailed picture of the potential challenges and opportunities of technology, market, regulation and policy in supporting solutions for more sustainable urban energy systems. The findings are likely to have significant value for for industry, public authorities, citizens and academia in China and Europe.

Richard Green (Principal Investigator)
Goran Strbac
Fei Teng

Imperial College London – Business School
Delft University of Technology – Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management
Tsinghua University (THU)
Zhejiang University (ZJU)

  • Development of detailed case studies through research in London, Beijing, Delft and Suzhou.
  • Collaboration between Chinese and European researchers in a range of disciplines including economics, social science and engineering.
  • Development of a comprehensive assessment framework to investigate the optimal Socio-Techno-Economic pathways towards sustainable urban energy system.