Fossil fuels are essential for energy purposes in the world. About 80% (91,000 TWh) of the total primary energy supply and 64% (9400 TWh) of the electricity generation were produced with gas, oil and coal in 1999 (Jacobsson/Bergek, 2004: 815). However, this dominance is in context of clear environmental and climate challenges. The burning of fossil fuels is the main source of carbon dioxide emissions and it is growing with a rate of 0.5% per year. Moreover, due to the fact that those fuels are finite, it will become more difficult and more expensive to pursue an economical exploitation of these resources (Agterbosch, 2006: 13-14).
The European Union is going to implement and to enhance renewable energy technologies in order to secure energy supplies and to reduce dependence (about 54% of primary energy consumption in 2005 was imported, in 2000: 51%; EEA, 2008). For this purpose a comprehensive climate change package (20/20/20 by 2020: Europe`s climate change and energy package) was introduced in 2008 (EP, 2008). According to this program each Member State of the EU has received legally binding targets to reach the 20% share of renewable energy in the EU`s overall energy consumption till 2020 (EEP, 2008a; EEP, 2008b).
Consequently, the government of each Member State is trying to stimulate with various measures and efforts the development and use of renewable energy.
This paper investigates the institutional and social conditions, which are responsible for the successful (and failed respectively) implementation of renewable electricity technologies of two Member States of the EU, Austria and the Netherlands. It focuses on wind energy for electricity generation, analyses the evolution of the wind power supply market and examines the liberalisation of the electricity market in both countries. The main objects of this thesis are:
• To investigate the way of each government, in how to boost and to enhance renewable (wind) energy in its country in the last decades.
• To contrast the assets with the drawbacks of each wind power policy.
And, based on these insights,
• To analyse, how comparative are those ways and which instrument is recommendable for the other country.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Wind power in the Netherlands
2.1 Overview
2.1.1 Overall energy structure
2.1.2 Electric power sector
2.1.3 Renewable electricity production
2.2 Governmental actions to increase renewable (wind) energy
2.2.1 Wind energy policy 1975 - 1994
2.2.2 Policy performance between 1975 till 1994
2.2.3 Review of the wind power policy 1975-1994
2.2.4 Wind energy policy 1995 - 2007
2.2.5 Policy performance between 1995 till 2007
2.2.6 Review of the wind power policy 1995 – 2007
2.3 Summary
3 Wind power in Austria
3.1 Overview
3.1.1 Overall energy structure
3.1.2 Electric power sector
3.1.3 Renewable electricity production
3.2 Development of wind power in Austria
3.2.1 Wind energy policy from the 1970’s till 2008
3.2.2 Policy performance in Austria
3.2.3 Review of the wind power policy
3.3 Summary
4 Comparison
5 References
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper examines the institutional and social conditions surrounding the implementation of wind energy technologies in Austria and the Netherlands, contrasting their respective policy approaches to identify effective strategies for promoting renewable energy.
- Investigation of government initiatives to boost wind energy over the last decades.
- Comparative analysis of the assets and drawbacks of national wind power policies.
- Examination of the liberalisation of electricity markets and its impact on wind power.
- Evaluation of social and institutional barriers, including spatial planning and local opposition.
Excerpt from the Book
Planning hierarchy
The major stakeholders in physical planning are the municipalities. One function of a municipal council is to formulate proper municipal zoning schemes with legally binding effects. For new constructions and buildings they have to proof and, if the projects are compatible with the existing zoning scheme, to give them a building permission. In the 80’s and 90’s, only few of the zoning schemes had got designed zones for wind turbines. For new wind projects, existing zoning schemes had to be modified and political adopted, which was a time consuming process (Wolsink, 1996: 1085).
To accelerate this process the main policy actors (MEA and the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment – VROM) signed an agreement (Governmental Agreement on Planning Problems Wind Energy – BPW) with seven provinces with suitable wind resources (Breukers/Wolsink, 2007: 102; Agterbosch, 2006: 58). From now on the provinces have the power to introduce specific regional plans about their area of responsibility. But these give only insufficient and rough indications for the municipalities. In a regional plan it may be indicated an area for wind energy production, but for actual zoning, one needs proper details, which can only be specified in municipal zones schemes (Wolsink, 1996: 1085).
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: Provides an overview of European energy needs, the shift towards renewables, and the research objectives regarding wind power in Austria and the Netherlands.
2 Wind power in the Netherlands: Details the Dutch energy structure, historical and recent policy frameworks for wind energy, and the significant challenges faced in planning and public acceptance.
3 Wind power in Austria: Analyzes the Austrian federal energy system, historical R&D initiatives, the evolution of eco-electricity acts, and the impacts of regional versus federal regulation.
4 Comparison: Synthesizes the development paths of both nations, contrasting their respective strategies, successes, and failures in achieving renewable energy targets.
5 References: A comprehensive list of academic sources, policy documents, and data reports used throughout the research.
Keywords
Energy policy, Wind power, Austria, The Netherlands, Renewable energy, Liberalisation, Electricity market, Spatial planning, NIMBY syndrome, Feed-in tariffs, Eco-electricity act, Sustainability, Energy transition, Government subsidies, Environmental impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on comparing the wind energy policies of Austria and the Netherlands, investigating how different institutional and social conditions have influenced the development and implementation of wind power technologies in both countries over several decades.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The work covers national energy structures, governmental support programs, the liberalisation of electricity markets, spatial planning hurdles, and the influence of public attitudes on wind farm siting.
What is the main objective of this study?
The objective is to investigate the strategies each government has used to enhance renewable wind energy and to contrast the assets and drawbacks of these policies to determine which instruments are recommendable for other nations.
Which research methodology is employed?
The author utilized academic resources from multiple libraries, including the University of Utrecht and the Technical University of Graz, supplemented by information from the Austrian Wind Energy Association and various national policy documents.
What does the main body of the work address?
The main body provides detailed historical overviews of energy policies in both countries, analyzing specific legislative acts, performance checks for wind power capacity, and the socioeconomic challenges encountered during market implementation.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Energy policy, Wind power, Austria, The Netherlands, Liberalisation, Spatial planning, and Feed-in tariffs, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the energy sector analysis.
Why did the Netherlands struggle with wind power implementation compared to its neighbors?
The Netherlands faced issues due to a centralization-focused initial strategy, inexperience with spatial planning at the local level, and rigid barriers for private or cooperative initiatives until market liberalisation.
What impact did the Austrian eco-electricity act of 2006 have on the industry?
The 2006 amendment introduced caps on subsidy volumes and unpredictable feed-in tariffs, leading to a significant decrease in investment reliability and a sharp decline in new wind power installations by 2008.
- Citar trabajo
- Dipl.-Ing. Florian Buchner (Autor), 2009, Wind Power. A Comparison between Austria and the Netherlands, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/292684
