Energy Transition, Distributed Generation, and Public Policies in the State of Rio de Janeiro

The research proposes an analysis of public policies and investments related to distributed generation sources in the State of Rio de Janeiro, focusing on the following aspects: (i) the need for an energy transition in favor of renewable energies, in line with the principles established by the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement; (ii) the intersectoral relationships between the electric sector, industry, and innovation; and (iii) the opportunities and challenges for electricity generation, with an emphasis on distributed generation, in light of the Internet of Things and smart cities perspectives.

In terms of energy matrix, Rio de Janeiro is predominantly dependent on fossil fuels and non-renewable sources, which, in the face of energy transition imperatives, requires governmental and private strategies to promote alternative renewable sources, with a focus on those compatible with distributed generation, such as solar, biomass, and wind. Given these aspects, it is crucial to understand the determinants of electricity investment in Rio de Janeiro to improve public policies in favor of distributed generation, which also decentralizes sectoral planning, enhances local agency, and connects with information and communication technologies, such as smart grids, in urban and regional planning.

Regarding methodological procedures, the research is guided by the historical-structural method and draws on contributions from Political Economy, Economic Geography, and Public Management to build the theoretical-conceptual and empirical elements needed to understand energy transition, distributed generation, and the linkage of these processes to the smart cities paradigm. These aspects will be analyzed using primary and secondary data collected for the State of Rio de Janeiro.