Evolution of Energy Landscapes: A Regional Case Study in the Western Netherlands

Abstract

While the transition to renewable energy becomes a main driver of landscape change, few publications discuss the historical transformation of landscapes for the development of energy—commonly referred to as energy landscape. The research reported in this paper investigates the evolution of energy landscapes in the Western Netherlands—a region shaped by peat extraction and dotted with windmills. Five periods have been identified, dominated by wood, peat, wind, fossil fuels, and modern renewables, respectively. During each period, the landscape coevolved with the new energy source hosting new energy infrastructure. The sequence of landscape transformations over the past 10 centuries in the Western Netherlands is illustrated by means of historical paintings, photographs and a series of five georeferenced maps. Our systematic analysis confirms the long-lasting and manifold interrelations between energy development and landscape transformation at the brink of another energy transition. This paper presents the first all-encompassing application of the analytical framework for the study of energy landscapes proposed earlier. The three main qualifications—substantive, spatial, and temporal—provided a clear framework for the systematic study of landscape transformations at the regional scale.

Managing Conflicts with Local Communities over the Introduction of Renewable Energy: The Solar-Rush Experience in Japan

“…Nikas et al [7] argued that citizen involvement is important for sound, acceptable, and effective policymaking in the process of introducing alternative energy. Jong et al [8] analyzed the historical energy-landscape over time in the Netherlands and showed the trend of change is becoming more dynamic. A survey of residents in the area where an offshore wind farm is planned off Cape Cod found that the majority of the population was concerned about the impact on the natural environment and a much smaller portion of the population expected a positive effect [9].…”

The role of soils in provision of energy

“…In Europe, large-scale use of peat for fuel started in the Middle Ages (1000 to 1500 AD) [1]. In the Western Netherlands, peat extraction initially aimed to clear wetlands for settlements and agriculture, while the extracted peat was used as a fuel to replace the shortfall in wood fuel due to widespread deforestation [1]. However, by the seventeenth century, peat had become a major national energy source in The Netherlands [11].…”

“…Soils have both direct and indirect impacts on available energy, but methods used to provide energy, in themselves, have direct and indirect impacts on soils. These impacts can influence the evolution of the landscape and ecosystem services provided by soils [1]. This occurs through four different processes associated with energy provision; acquisition of the energy source, conversion/storage, transport/ transmission and end use/disposal of residues from the energy conversion process [2].…”

The method of determining research units for the needs of valorisation of rural landscape at the level of plant cover on the example of the Puchaczów commune.

“…This method allowed to study the direction of landscape changes along with the time analysis. The transformation of landscape under the influence of human activity over the centuries with the use of Geographic Information System, was also studied by De Jong and Stremke [2020]. The article presents a case study that aimed to map the evolution of energy landscapes in the region of the western part of the Netherlands.…”