Social tipping dynamics in the energy system

The fast growth in renewables has led to an economic tipping point for the adoption of renewables. However, we do not observe a corresponding reduction in fossil fuel demand. The tipping point has not led to a system-wide energy transition. This paper reviews how the cost tipping point in renewables can initiate other social tipping dynamics in the energy transition and it presents energy communities as a promising and fast-growing niche environment that can exploit and foster such tipping dynamics.