Are low energy demand systems more secure?

This paper explores conceptual relationships between low energy demand systems and energy security (accessible, reliable and affordable energy). Up until very recently, energy security has been conceptualised almost entirely in relation to questions of supply, reliability, and affordability. This focus on security of supply has dominated political debates and policy decisions in the field of energy for many decades - particularly in 'consumer' countries and regions like the EU - resulting in pre-occupations with delivering energy rather than managing it. This paper is a first attempt to turn this assumption on its head by exploring how we might conceive of energy security if the primary goal of energy policy is demand side management (flexibility, efficiency, reduction). It will draw on energy security, energy demand management, and political economy of energy transitions literatures to tease out and explore how we might conceive of energy security in a low demand world. Given legally binding commitments to net zero energy; ongoing energy injustices and cost of living crises; the pace of growth of solar and wind; growing pressures on industrial and material supply chains; and associated security and geopolitical tensions; this paper will propose that a low energy demand system offers some solutions to energy security concerns as systems transform.