The German Energiewende - Factors of success and failure of the implementation at the local level A multiple method analysis of an ecology of games, political discourses and collaboration networks
The German Energiewende (energy transition towards a green energy supply) is a unique national project. It represents the German response to at least three policy problems: 1) global climate change, 2) dependence on foreign energy resources, and 3) the need to opt out of nuclear energy. Most renewable energy project implementation under this policy takes place at the state and county level. Involving communities in the decision making process helps to attenuate controversy arising from NIMBYism, where the public is generally supportive of renewable energies but prefers to have these projects developed outside of their own "back yard". On the other hand, some counties have made significant progress towards a transition to renewable energies, while others are lacking behind.
The dissertation will take a closer look at the Energiewende on the local level.
The first part of the dissertation uses three emerging approaches for policy analysis - discourse theory, network analysis and Narrative Policy Analysis - to explain variation in county implementation of renewable energy projects. The second part takes a computational approach of agent-based modeling to explain which role various actor constellations play in implementing the Energiewende. Results of the model will help policy makers to foster positive structures in order to achieve their transition goals. Within the third part a qualitative approach is taken. In depth case studies of successful counties will be analyzed in order to identify beneficial network structures and successful storylines. A last chapter concludes how the findings of the three chapters can help policy makers to shape discourses and network structures in a favoring way and thus helps to enlighten the complex local policy process towards a renewable energy supply.