Energy poverty - PhD project

Sweden has previously had low energy costs and mostly rents which include heating costs. With a relatively strong social policy, the authorities have not seen a need to distinguish energy poverty from other forms of poverty. But as energy prices have skyrocketed for a number of different reasons in the past two years, energy poverty has flared up as an important area both for Swedish authorities and in research.

Jenny von Platten's doctoral project (between RISE and LTH) partially investigated energy poverty. However, there are several new research questions that need to be answered in relation to energy poverty in Sweden. This new doctoral project is based on the following subsequent research questions:

1. Mapping of energy poverty
   • How should energy poverty be measured?
   • What geographical, technical and legal conditions (varying energy costs, varying heating systems and cold rent in the multi-dwelling stock) exist?
   • How does energy poverty relate to other types of poverty?
2. Policy overview
   • What risks are there for shutdowns / can you protect against shutdowns?
   • To what extent do laws and guidelines protect the most disadvantaged? The electricity price supports that were/are, how well have they hit?
3. How can the results of research questions 1 and 2 be translated into an evidence-based decision basis for policy development within authorities?