CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020
| Author | Honnen, Jens Frederik |
|---|---|
| Title | Is German Onshore Wind Power in Crisis? An analysis of growth trends, barriers and expectations for a renewable energy technology at an advanced stage of diffusion |
| Summary | As renewable energy technologies diffuse, they move through distinct growth stages with qualitatively different underlying challenges. While most existing research has focused on the early stages, the more advanced stages are less well understood. This thesis bridges this gap through an analysis of the recent slowdown in growth of onshore wind power in Germany – a renewable energy technology struggling in its later growth stages. On the basis of growth modelling, interviews, content and data analysis, three research objectives are pursued: (1) determining whether growth of onshore wind power is in persistent decline in Germany, (2) analysing the industry’s growth expectations to explain the wide-spread perception of the slowdown as a crisis and (3) identifying the underlying barriers to growth. The results find the technology’s long-term growth to be nearly linear, with no evidence of acceleration nor decline. The recent slowdown is mainly understood as a temporary fluctuation following the recent switch from feed-in tariffs to auctions. The crisis narrative is explained by the industry’s past growth experiences, its recent struggles, the perceived growth potential and normative scenarios for onshore wind power’s role in Germany’s energy transition. Future growth is unlikely to exceed the long-term growth rate of 3 GW, being limited by land constraints, political, institutional and social opposition, clashes with conservation and administrative barriers. Immediate action is required for lifting growth to the rates required by Germany’s climate targets. Understanding the identified growth challenges will also be essential to facilitate growth of other renewables at advanced stages of growth. |
| Supervisor | Aleh Cherp |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2020/honnen_jens.pdf |
Visit the CEU Library.
© 2007-2021, Central European University