Abstract
The transition to a sustainable energy system faces more challenges than a simple replacement of fossil energy sources by renewable ones. Since current structures do not favor sustainable energy generation and use, it is indispensable to change the existing infrastructure. A fundamental change of the energy system also requires re-organizing spatial structures and their respective institutions and governance structures. Especially in Austria, urban sprawl and unsustainable settlement structures are regarded as one of the main developments leading to increased energy demand. One of the aims within the project E-Trans 2050 was to identify socio-economic constellations that are central to the further transformation of the energy system and to focus on actors and their socio-technical framework conditions. Based on a sustainable future vision for the year 2050 a backcasting workshop was conducted to identify necessary steps for the envisaged transition to a more sustainable energy system. The results shed light on the necessary changes for a transformation towards sustainability in the specific Austrian situation. Critical issues are region-specific production of energy and its use, settlement and regional structures and values and role models, which all have a determining influence on energy demand. Combining the knowledge of extensive energy use with available energy resources in spatial planning decisions is a main challenge towards a long term sustainable energy system.
Highlights
In many areas of society, developments resulting in increasing energy consumption can be observed
Combining the knowledge of extensive energy use with available energy resources in spatial planning decisions is a main challenge towards a long term sustainable energy system
In the project E-Trans 2050 the backcasting procedure started with a highly normative “sustainability scenario” for the Austrian energy system in 2050. This scenario has been tailor-made to cover main aspects at the intersection of energy production and use and spatial organization. It was developed against the background of preceding scenarios, which were formulated at an earlier stage in the project, eight interviews with experts in the areas of spatial planning and development, energy regions, and planning of sustainable energy systems and a literature review
Summary
In many areas of society, developments resulting in increasing energy consumption can be observed. In this paper we would like to argue that the specific view on energy and spatial organization will require an entirely new composition of policies, bringing together sustainable energy, spatial planning, and land-use regulation issues. By evaluating the possible scenarios for the Austrian energy system for the year 2050, the spatial organization of energy production and use has been identified as one of the key fields of action in order to enable more radical changes in the long run. Policy interventions in this crosscutting field have been regarded as central for promoting sustainable transformation pathways of the energy system.
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