Towards the end of 20th and beginning of the 21st century, interest has risen in new and renewable energy (RE) sources, especially wind energy for electricity generation. In the course of a short period of time, wind energy was welcomed by society, industry and politics as a clean, practical, economical and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional energy sources. Among renewable energy technologies, wind energy accounts for the highest share in gross electricity consumption in Germany. To keep this renewable share up, wind energy projects have to combine technological aspects with environmental and social aspects. The successful planning and implementation of a wind farm crucially depends on acceptance by the citizens living in the vicinity of the site. Factors influencing acceptance of wind energy can be categorised into process-related variables, personal characteristics, perceived side effects and technical and geographical issues. This article defines acceptance and identifies the relevant factors which have an impact upon acceptance or non-acceptance of renewable energy technologies by citizens in Germany.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to wind energy
2. Germany’s wind energy: current potential
3. Discussion: Acceptation and opposition to wind energy in Germany
3.1. Initiatives on the federal level
3.2. Citizens initiatives
4. Example: Citizence Initiative Oberweser-Bramwald e. V.
Target and Objectives
This paper examines the history, technological foundations, and current status of wind energy in Germany, with a primary focus on identifying the socio-political and community-level factors that influence public acceptance and opposition toward wind farm projects.
- Evolution of wind energy technology and its role in the global energy market.
- Evaluation of Germany's wind energy potential within the context of the Energiewende.
- Analysis of different acceptance levels, including socio-political, community, and market perspectives.
- Investigation of the arguments used by various initiatives, both for and against wind power expansion.
- Case study analysis of the Citizens’ Initiative Oberweser-Bramwald e. V. to illustrate local resistance patterns.
Excerpt from the Book
1. Introduction to wind energy
Europe is the global leader in wind energy and we are currently witnessing the globalisation of the wind energy markets (Herbert et al. 2007, p. 1120).
Humans have been utilising wind power for at least 3000 years. Wind energy was first used for boat navigation on the Nile River at around 5000 BC. During the same period, windmills pumped water in China. The first written information on wind turbines is based on a simple structural horizontal axis wind turbine during the reign of Alexander the Great. It is known that the Persians used vertical axis wind turbines from about 700 BC. Windmills were introduced to the western world at the beginning of the 12th century through encounters with the Islamic world. During this century, Abou-l Iz, who lived in Diyarbakır, Turkey, developed the first modern vertical wind turbine. Until the early 20th century, wind power had been used to provide mechanical power to pump water or to grind cereals (Sahin 2004, p. 503).
Winds are caused by differential heating of the atmosphere, in combination with the Earth's rotation and friction both within the atmosphere and between the atmosphere and the Earth's surface.
The terms "wind energy" and "wind power" both describe the process by which the wind is used to generate mechanical power or electricity. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water) or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity (Kühn et. al. 2017).
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction to wind energy: This chapter provides a historical overview of wind power utilization and defines the technical processes behind modern wind turbines.
2. Germany’s wind energy: current potential: This section reviews the development of renewable energy frameworks in Germany and the growth of installed wind capacity since the 1990s.
3. Discussion: Acceptation and opposition to wind energy in Germany: This chapter analyzes the socio-political, community, and market factors that influence public sentiment toward wind energy deployment.
3.1. Initiatives on the federal level: This section details the arguments and strategies of federal-level organizations like Vernuftkraft that critique current energy policies.
3.2. Citizens initiatives: This section examines the grassroots landscape, identifying common motivations and geographic clusters of groups opposing wind farm construction.
4. Example: Citizence Initiative Oberweser-Bramwald e. V.: This chapter provides a specific case study of a local initiative, outlining its methods of protest and its primary concerns regarding environmental impact.
Keywords
wind energy, renewable energy, wind power, grid energy, Germany’s wind energy, citizen initiatives, initiatives on the federal level, wind energy potential, Energiewende, acceptance, opposition, nature conservation, sustainable development, public participation, wind farms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the current state of wind energy in Germany, specifically examining the discourse and social factors surrounding the public acceptance or opposition to wind energy projects.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the history of wind technology, the German Energiewende policy, the classification of public acceptance, and the strategies of various initiatives that influence energy politics.
What is the primary objective of the study?
The objective is to identify and analyze the factors—such as environmental concerns and information gaps—that lead citizens to support or actively oppose the expansion of wind energy in Germany.
Which scientific method is applied in this research?
The paper uses a descriptive and analytical approach, synthesizing existing literature, policy documents, and organizational discourses to explain the dynamics between energy stakeholders and the public.
What topics are covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the evolution of wind energy, its current regulatory framework in Germany, theoretical models of acceptance, and practical examples of organized local resistance.
How would you characterize this work through keywords?
The paper is characterized by terms such as Energiewende, public acceptance, citizen initiatives, wind energy potential, and environmental conservation.
How does the author define the different levels of acceptance?
Acceptance is categorized into three dimensions: socio-political (broad public/stakeholder support), community (local acceptance near projects), and market (the adoption of the technology by the industry).
What is the main argument used by the initiative Vernuftkraft?
Vernuftkraft argues that the current energy transition is not ecologically sound and maintains that renewable energy infrastructure often causes unnecessary destruction to natural habitats.
How does the case of Oberweser-Bramwald illustrate local opposition?
This case demonstrates how local groups utilize petitions, demonstrations, and public outreach to protect specific local landscapes from the perceived negative impacts of wind turbine installations.
Why is scientific communication important for wind energy companies according to the author?
The author concludes that companies must improve their public relations and information campaigns, as much of the opposition at the grassroots level stems from misinformation not supported by scientific research.
- Quote paper
- Tetiana Rudenko (Author), 2021, Wind energy. Current and future potential, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1607546
