energy regions: ‘guiding visions’ that work? the normative dimension of transition dynamics...
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Energy Regions: ‘guiding visions’ that work?
The normative dimension of transition dynamics
Philipp Späth (IFZ)
WS: ‚Politics and governance in sustainable socio-technical transitions‘
Berlin, 19.-21. Sept. 2007
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Outline
1) the role of ‘guiding visions’ (coordination) in transitions
2) example: ‘Energy Regions’ in Austria
3) inspirations for ‘transition managers’ the art of aligning resources with heterogeneous
actor networks stages of maturation from vision to socially binding
norm
4) dilemmas and limitations
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
The role of ‘guiding visions’ for ‘Transition Management’
‘guiding visions’ central to TM approach but not substantiated in historical analyses of
transitions
=> look at ongoing processes with intentional shaping of ‘guiding visions’
specify ‘guiding vision’: ‘Leitbilder’ in technology development (Dierkes et al.) ‘prospective structures’ “ “ “ (Van Lente/Rip) ‘Leitbilder’ in urban and regional planning
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Empirical background: four case studies on ‘Energy Regions’
A research project 2/06 – 7/07
‚strategic accompanying project‘
within the R&D-Programme: „Energy Systems of Tomorrow“ (BMVIT)
4 Case studies: - ‚EnergieVision Murau‘ (Upper Styria)
- ‚EnergieRegion Weiz-Gleisdorf‘ (East Styria)
- ‚EnergieRegion Ost-Steiermark‘ (East Styria)
- ‚ÖkoenergieRegion Salzburg-Hallein‘ (Greater Salzburg)
Other partners: - IFZ, - Ökologie-Institut, - ARC Systems Research
- Faber Communications Consulting
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
‘Energy Regions’ in Austria
initiatives to label regions as (Eco-) ‘Energy Region’ attempts to focus regional development objectives partly participatory processes of objective setting actor networks on green energy provision (&
efficiency)
Regional Scale: Sub-provincial, inter-municipal level (min. ~30.000 people..) Unique sets of primary energy sources/ companies/
institutions… Starting points for regional ‘identity’ Frequent face to face communication Opportunities for funding of projects (regional development)
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
One Example:The Murau Energy Vision
A predominantly rural, alpine district in Upper Styria An initiative by Regional Energy Agency + Consultant Workshops involving ~ 30 regional ‘energy experts’ Developing the vision of an ‘energy autonomous’ district
The “Murau Energy Objectives for 2015” The district of Murau is energy autonomous (‘energieautark’)
with regard to heat and electricity (= 100% renewable sources).
A high level of public awareness concerning an energetic circular flow economy (‘energetische Kreislaufwirtschaft’) has been achieved (also among pupils).
A surplus of value is created by a net export of energy carriers
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Mobilising technology
Delivery service
„NATURWÄRME“
Wood Chips Ö-NORM W 30
37m3 container
Dust-free filling
of wood chip bunker
Delivery service
„NATURWÄRME“
Wood Chips Ö-NORM W 30
37m3 container
Dust-free filling
of wood chip bunker
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Effects of the “Murau Energy Objectives for 2015”
Decisive role for several plans and decisions Re-formulation of calls for tender (heating systems) Denial of provincial permission for touristic
development Coordination of corporate strategies Etc…
Aligning of development objectives on many scales Murau district EU LEADER+-Region Municipalities Region of Upper Styria
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Heterogeneous networks for the alignment of resources
local politician
public servant
local entrepreneur
representative of association
mobilised consumer energy expert
Leitbild (& Inter-mediator)
public investments
funds (reg. dev.)
strategic knowledge
technical knowledge
public campaigns
customer relations
private investments
support schemes
consultancy relations
R&D-funds
media attention
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Stages of maturation (to be anticipated)
individual aspiration
shared vision
Leitbild
social norm
structural effectivity
time
required: - vague attractiveness - flexibility- dissemination
required: - concreteness- credibility- acceptability- trust
required: -fit value systems- sanctioning - credibility- acceptability- trust
transforms if charged with support & authority
transforms if charged with support & authority
transforms if charged with supp.& authority
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A tribute to politics
General problems of participatory governance inclusiveness, accessibility, accountability
Danger of process being captured by powerful actors sidelining usually leads to an end of cohesion
Fragility and preliminary nature of ‘consensus’ when to re-negotiate ambiguous ‘sustainability’
objectives?
Could it be institutionalised on a broader scale? trade off between experimental nature & protected
spaces (=> cooperative mode) with political (redistributive) relevance
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Conclusions
Yes, there seem to be credible opportunities for intentional co-shaping of coordinating visions
To understand their genesis & maturation, we need to look at things in between agency and structure - (Leitbilder, prospective structures)
Mastering the art of aligning resources and of gaining discursive hegemony remains both promising and elusive
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Summary: The art of aligning commitments
‘Guiding visions’ can stepwise be charged with authority
For such maturation, they need to be shaped initially in a way, which is adaptable to the requirements of higher stages of maturation
Their shape (storylines comprised, actors addressed) must allow for the commitments of all crucial stakeholders on all stages.
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Conclusion
‘Energy Regions’ reveal interesting potentials for governance of socio-technical change A way of institutionalising a common vision as
‘consensus’ Partly separating ‘appraisal’ and ‘commitment
formation’ (Smith/Stirling 2006) First negotiate consensus, then ‘freeze’ uncertainty,
complexity, ambiguity => partly ‘objectify’ an alternative socio-technical system
Then ease building up of substantial ‘commitments’ Just for a while!
‘Objectification’ by ‘Leitbild’ as an ingredient to the ‘productive illusion of power’?
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Conclusions
‘Energy Regions’ can be influential ‘niche’-activities Certain selection mechanisms can be absent here
E.g. incumbents opposing initiatives for renewables/ capturing provincial energy policy/ pushing gas networks…
Alternatives mature (economically) & get (morally) fortified
Geographical & social proximity (=> regional identity) as facilitating factors
Alignment on national level? Developing!
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
‘Leitbilder’ a ~specific kind of guiding vision
Features: graphic quality & emotional content innovative but also grounded in the realms of the
feasible open for interpretation but not too abstract
Functions: reducing complexity focus perception motivate for action constitute group identity
Can their genesis be influenced? build up on established norms necessarily emergent? by nature manipulated?
coordinate & synchronize complex systems/ networks
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Guiding questions and approach
Guiding questions
Can ‘Leitbilder’ coordinate concrete decisions and impact on technical change on a regional level? If yes: How?
What are crucial preconditions for an impact of Energy Regions?
Features of actor networks and communication strategies
Ways to support
Approach Trans-disciplinary: learning process among case study
initiatives supported by diverse social scientists and professionals
20.Sept.2007 [email protected]
Binding forces / benefits a ‘Leitbild’ can deliver
Offer new conceptualisations of facts & events (frames) Shared expectations => ‘consensus’ => reduce uncertainty
Align communications of administrations, enterprises & media
Chance for citizens to articulate their views & get heard Offers a symbol of regional identity Constitute an actor network reducing (transaction) costs of
green energy projects Guides & co-ordinates R&D efforts (esp. socio-technical,
organisational innovation) Channels resources to intermediaries which facilitate the
building up of markets (biomass logistics, ties to demand)