The energy transition – an integrative analysis

The ongoing energy transition is seen as a key component for the transition towards a more sustainable society. An important component in the move towards a sustainable energy system is the transition from a mainly centralized, fossil-fuel system to a more localized, renewable one. This transition, however, requires not only the development of new energy technologies but also radical, systemic shifts in deeply held values and beliefs, in patterns of social behavior, and in governance regimes. Thereby the ecological, technical and social systems have to be conceptualized as Social-Ecological-Technical Systems (SETS) and new integrative, interdisciplinary research approaches are needed which consider the interaction between these subsystems. We present results of an integrative analysis of transitions which occurred in two Austrian energy regions during the last 20 years. We show (i) how institutional development and infrastructure development are related to each other within time; (ii) whether and how demand and supply of renewable energy carries can be met at the regional level; and (iii) which factors in household behavior affect decision making- and consequently energy demand in the housing sector. Finally, we present some thoughts on the resilience of such transition processes and discuss the need for further research. Socio-ecological transitions are defined as transitions between different societal regimes and co-dependent ecological changes. In the past, two major transitions have occurred as are the transition from the hunter and gatherers society to the agricultural society and from the latter to the industrial society. These transitions have both been characterized by an increased material and energy consumption per capita and an increase in urban population. Scholars have stated that we are in the middle of a new transition maybe towards a sustainable society. This transition is likely to encompass a further increase in the share of the population living in urban areas, however linked to significant efforts to change the metabolism of cities by e.g., transforming the energy system away from a fossil fuel based towards a renewable energy system. The experiences of various scholars have led to the insight that this transition cannot be analyzed with disciplinary approaches alone. They have to be dealt with in an integrative, interdisciplinary way that considers the dynamics and interactions between social and ecological systems. This presentation will show how inter- and transdisciplinary research could be framed to better understand, simulate, and provide policy recommendations for the ongoing transition. These approaches significantly feed into the new research foci in urban ecology, as they specifically study the dynamics within and the interaction between the social and ecological systems. Empirical results for the transition of energy regions will be presented.