This title appears in the Scientific Report :
2018
Please use the identifier:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13705-018-0166-z in citations.
Please use the identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/19636 in citations.
Transformation pathways of phasing out coal-fired power plants in Germany
Transformation pathways of phasing out coal-fired power plants in Germany
BackgroundWhile there are plenty of studies investigating the market penetration of new technologies, phase-out processes of a predominant technology are rarely analyzed. The present study explores the case of a declining technology, employing the example of coal-fired power plants in Germany. These...
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Personal Name(s): | Vögele, Stefan (Corresponding author) |
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Kunz, Paul / Rübbelke, Dirk / Stahlke, Theresa | |
Contributing Institute: |
Systemforschung und Technologische Entwicklung; IEK-STE |
Published in: | Energy, Sustainability and Society, 8 (2018) 1, S. 25 |
Imprint: |
Berlin
Springer
2018
|
DOI: |
10.1186/s13705-018-0166-z |
Document Type: |
Journal Article |
Research Program: |
Assessment of Energy Systems – Addressing Issues of Energy Efficiency and Energy Security |
Link: |
OpenAccess OpenAccess |
Publikationsportal JuSER |
Please use the identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/19636 in citations.
BackgroundWhile there are plenty of studies investigating the market penetration of new technologies, phase-out processes of a predominant technology are rarely analyzed. The present study explores the case of a declining technology, employing the example of coal-fired power plants in Germany. These plants were promoted by governmental decision-makers as well as by the industry for a long time, but meanwhile, the phase-out or at least a cutback of coal-fired power plants is––not only in Germany––considered to be a key strategy for the transformation towards a sustainable society.MethodsWe investigate potential pathways of the future development of the coal-fired power plant sector in an extended multi-level perspective (MLP) framework that integrates economic, social, political, and technical aspects.ResultsTaking into account the fact that coal is losing its support from several important stakeholders (e.g., governmental decision-makers, utilities) due to, e.g., changes in the prioritization of political goals, changes in the economic framework, in actor constellations, and in public attitudes, coal-fired power plants tend to be pushed into niches or to disappear completely. ConclusionsA reasonable management of the niche technology “coal-fired power plants” could include a protection of space for ensuring a smooth removal of the links between the regime and the technology with respect to, e.g., social and environmental aspects. The phase-out pathways for the coal-fired power plants elaborated on in this paper help to better inform policy-makers to design transformation processes not only for coal-fired power but also for other declining technologies. |