Heat decarbonisation is challenging in many countries, but few studies address its ‘wicked problem’ qualities and the implications for producing useful knowledge. This paper elucidates the challenges by applying insights from science and technology studies, especially Callon’s concept of knowledge ‘frames’, to explain the fate of a prominent UK innovation – the EnergyPath Networks (EPN) and Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) tool of the Smart Systems and Heat programme. The aim of the tool, which coupled an engineering model with local planning, was to provide authoritative knowledge to support local decision making. However, after six years of piloting with local authorities the future take-up of EPN and LAEP remained uncertain, for two key reasons. First the techno-economic knowledge frame encountered numerous overflows emanating from more potent political-economic and technological perspectives governing local priorities. Second the framing of local decision making neglected the marginality of energy planning at local government level. Our analysis shows the problems that arise when lab-based research and development prematurely frame energy system problems, before encountering societal and political contexts of use. Problem definitions and solutions for heat decarbonisation based predominantly on technical–economic knowledge lack requisite authority to progress this wicked problem, and must become more context-responsive.

热脱碳在许多国家都具有挑战性，但是很少有研究针对其“邪恶问题”的质量及其对产生有用知识的意义。本文通过运用科学技术研究的见解，尤其是卡伦（Callon）的知识“框架”概念来阐明挑战，以解释英国一项杰出的创新的命运，即英国能源部的EnergyPath Networks（EPN）和Local Area Energy Planning（LAEP）工具。智能系统和热量计划。该工具的目标是将工程模型与本地规划结合起来，旨在提供权威的知识来支持本地决策。但是，在与地方当局进行了六年的试点之后，EPN和LAEP的未来应用仍然不确定，原因有两个。首先，技术经济知识框架在治理地方优先事项的更强有力的政治，经济和技术角度上遇到了许多溢出问题。其次，地方决策框架的制定忽略了地方政府层面能源计划的边际性。我们的分析表明，基于实验室的研发在遇到使用的社会和政治背景之前过早地构筑能源系统问题时会出现这些问题。主要基于技术-经济知识的热脱碳问题定义和解决方案缺乏推进此严重问题的必要权限，因此必须变得对上下文更敏感。其次，地方决策框架的制定忽略了地方政府层面能源计划的边际性。我们的分析表明，在遇到使用的社会和政治背景之前，基于实验室的研发过早地构筑能源系统问题时会出现这些问题。主要基于技术-经济知识的热脱碳问题定义和解决方案缺乏推进此严重问题的必要权限，因此必须变得对上下文更敏感。其次，地方决策框架的制定忽略了地方政府层面能源计划的边际性。我们的分析表明，基于实验室的研发在遇到使用的社会和政治背景之前过早地构筑能源系统问题时会出现这些问题。主要基于技术-经济知识的热脱碳问题定义和解决方案缺乏推进此严重问题的必要权限，因此必须变得对上下文更敏感。