Design of Simulation and Gaming to Promote the Energy Transition from Fossil Fuels to Renewables

Abstract

To design policies for energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables, this study proposes an analytical framework combining simulation and gaming. The aim of this framework is to clarify the effect of subjective recognition by managers of energy companies on the promotion of renewables. Considering the purpose, the authors design a multiplayer computer game dealing with energy supply business in a competitive market. In the gaming experiment, participants play the game and answer some questionnaires during the game. The relationship between the subjective recognition of players, their behavior, and the results of the game is analyzed from the records of the game and questionnaires. The results of preliminary experiments suggest that the pessimistic outlook of players in the earlier stage of game heats up price competition in the market and prevents the promotion of renewables as the players place more emphasis on short-term competition than on long-term investments. The results of preliminary experiments show that the proposed framework can analyze the effect of subjective recognitions of players on the results of the game.