Understanding Sectoral Integration in Energy Systems Through Complex Network Analysis

This paper studies the concept of sectoral integration of energy systems from a network perspective. In the energy arena, the transition towards a cleaner use of energy has led to a series of changes in how we consume energy, the energy vectors we use to satisfy our needs and, in general, the configuration of our energy systems. These developments add complexity to our systems as their production and consumption configuration evolve. The concept of sectoral integration is recent and does not yet have a commonly agreed-upon definition nor a consistent measuring approach. We show that network analysis can be used to explore this evolution, allowing quantifying the degree of integration of existing systems. By using a stylized model, we propose a series of global and local measures, focusing on different parts of the energy system and allowing measuring system integration quantitatively. We then illustrate the developed measures by analysing the evolution of two European countries’ energy systems over the recent past (1990–2019).