Entscheidungshilfen für eine nachhaltige räumliche Entwicklung der Bioenergiebereitstellung – Methoden und ihre instrumentelle Anwendung

Abstract

An increasing bioenergy supply is likely to cause an increasing demand on space. In order to approach upcoming spatial developments, regional planning is confronted with questions about the extent and the character of possible developments and with questions about appropriate tools to tackle them. Therefore, a method has been evolved for the purpose of identifying appropriate tools taking the planning region Western Saxony as a case study. The methodological approach can be used as a guideline for other regions in Germany and is therefore introduced. It allows to determine spatial potentials for a regional bioenergy supply regarding energy crops and plant types in particular. Different development opportunities can be depicted in qualitative spatial scenarios, and their environmental impacts as well as land use conflicts can be assessed. The method can be applied to develop a spatial biomass concept. In turn, this can contribute to the preparation of a regional energy concept as it is recently being discussed. As a matter of fact, the spatial biomass concept is rather a flexible tool that determines a development frame than a final concept. The advantage is the high adaptability to changes in framework conditions and technical developments. Furthermore, it provides a helpful access for the initiation of regional debates about development aims and strategies.