ABSTRACT
The chapter outlines the benefits and applications of the main digital technologies in the energy sector for sustainable development policy goals. The study sets out key trends in the energy sector regarding the extent to which new information and communication technologies are being applied to support sustainable development.
The empirical part of the chapter presents qualitative research on the pace of implementation of new digital technologies in the energy sector. The research focuses on the contribution of new digital technologies to sustainable development as well as determines barriers and limitations to their use in energy companies. Experts were selected from among managers and consultants operating in the Polish energy sector. A fuzzy sets qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method was employed to analyze the opinions
The findings show that achieving high economic performance in the energy sector along with support for prosumers and energy consumers are the most important drivers of sustainable development of the energy sector in Poland. Surprisingly, according to managers surveyed, the rapid implementation of new technologies as well as the absence of both external and managerial barriers are not considered vital conditions for developing the sustainable energy sector.
