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The stuttering energy transition in Germany: Wind energy policy and feed-in tariff lock-in.

Nordensvard, Johan; Urban, Frauke

The stuttering energy transition in Germany: Wind energy policy and feed-in tariff lock-in. Thumbnail


Authors

Johan Nordensvard

Frauke Urban



Abstract

This article aims to examine whether the formulation of specific low carbon policy such as the feed-in tariff for wind energy in Germany can partly be a barrier to a comprehensive energy transition (Energiewende). Despite their short and medium-term success, these policies could create a long-term lock-in if they are formulated in a way that leads to a stagnation of systems innovation. The research finds that while the share of wind energy has increased rapidly over time, the feed-in-tariff and other low carbon policies and incentives have not been sufficient to achieve a socio-technical regime transition in Germany yet. We suggest that the German feed-in-tariff has incorporated wind energy (a niche-innovation) and wind energy actors (pathway newcomers) into a slightly modified socio-technical regime that is rather similar to the earlier ‘fossil fuel dominant’ socio-technical regime.

Citation

Nordensvard, J., & Urban, F. (2015). The stuttering energy transition in Germany: Wind energy policy and feed-in tariff lock-in. Energy Policy, 82, 156-165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.03.009

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Mar 28, 2015
Deposit Date Mar 31, 2015
Publicly Available Date Mar 12, 2025
Journal Energy Policy
Print ISSN 0301-4215
Electronic ISSN 1873-6777
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 82
Pages 156-165
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.03.009

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