The importance of on-site evaluation for placing renewable energy in the landscape: A case study of the Búrfell wind farm (Iceland)

Frantál, Bohumil; Bevk, Tadej; Veelen, Bregje van; Hărmănescu, Mihaela; Benediktsson, Karl

doi:10.1515/mgr-2017-0020

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…These findings have led to the growing importance of spatial planning and consideration of environmental and social impacts. Some research projects are concerned with the optimisation of wind farms and the visualisation of wind turbines and their effects on ecosystems and nature conservation [10]. However, those approaches must not be confused with broad-based scenario-building and the inclusion of nature conservation as a criterion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature conservation as a driver in wind energy scenarios

2019

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Background: Germany has set ambitious goals for the reduction of greenhouse gases. The decarbonisation of the energy system has been in focus. An important means to achieve this is the increased utilisation of wind energy. The growth of wind power entails changes not only in the electrical system but also in the landscape and environment. Prospectively, scenarios will have to consider a wide range of aspects, not only economics and technology but also nature conservation and social affairs. The authors are participating in the research study "Szenarien für den Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien aus Naturschutzsicht", funded by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, which examines the possibilities of integrating nature conservation into the development of scenarios. Methods: For aspects of nature conservation to be taken into account in scenario development, a multi-stage methodology has been developed to assess the conflict risk of wind energy and nature conservation throughout Germany. To ensure comparability of the scenarios, all of them are based on the same general framework consisting of fixed excluded areas, the same method of detail allocation and the same overall expected energy output. The "nature conservation" driver is integrated in the form of a nationwide comparative assessment of risk levels. The mapping of spatially differentiated risk levels for wind energy has been achieved in a GIS-based and discursive process. Results: The results show that nature conservation can be addressed properly in scenario-building. Here, the method of multi-criterion scenario-building itself, with its focus on including nature conservation as one of several drivers determining the spatial distribution of wind turbines, is a major result. The authors have developed specific scenarios that mainly address questions of landscape and nature conservation. Out of the four generic scenarios presented for the year 2035, two have nature conservation as their main driver, whereas the other two consider energy-economic drivers only. Examining these scenarios provides insight into the influence of each driver. For example, adding nature conservation as the main driver (highest priority) reduces the specific conflict risk by 26.1%, while at the same time only a relatively small increase in wind turbines is required (+12.5% in numbers, +2.3% in installed power capacity). Conclusion: The methods developed here provide a driver for allocating wind power plants to reduce conflicts in high-risk areas. Furthermore, using the same spatial distribution of risk levels makes it possible to subsequently rate the scenarios from a conservation perspective. The method developed here provides the means to analyse trade-offs between relevant drivers. The "nature conservation" scenarios show a relatively small additional demand for wind turbines but a greater amount of avoided conflict risk.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature conservation as a driver in wind energy scenarios

2019

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“…It is easy to anticipate a clash with the prevailing nature imaginary. Negotiating this new terrain will require new and sensitive methods for the evaluation of local impacts (Frantál et al, 2017).…”

Section: Conclusion: Imagining Energy Futuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conflicting imaginaries in the energy transition? Nature and renewable energy in Iceland

Benediktsson

2021

Moravian Geographical Reports

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An improved understanding of the geographical unevenness of the global energy transition is important. The concept of ‘sociotechnical imaginaries’ has been used extensively for understanding how desired technology futures are envisioned and differentially articulated in various contexts. Supplementing this, the concept of ‘nature imaginaries’ is proposed in this article, to specifically address collective moral visions of human/nature relations that underwrite discourses and actions by various actors. Nature plays an active role in both types of imaginaries. Their complex interactions play a part in how energy transitions unfold. The article uses this framework for a description of the energy situation in Iceland, and its largely successful transition towards renewable energy through the development of hydropower and geothermal resources. Particular sociotechnical and nature imaginaries, sometimes opposed to each other, are discernible. The article argues that the analysis of conflicting imaginaries at work in specific energy transitions might help in identifying leverage points from where it is possible to work in a small way towards a global transition.

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“…For example, a case study on local planning of WE in Sweden showed that the processes often include governmental actors but exclude others (Gustafsson et al, 2015). A study of Frantál et al (2017) about wind farms in Iceland showed that new methods like mental mapping could be beneficially utilized to involve various actors in the WE planning processes.…”

Section: Local Planningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Regional variation in public acceptance of wind energy development in Europe: What are the roles of planning procedures and participation?

et al. 2019

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Highlights  We conducted an expert survey about wind energy resistance in planning.  Resistance links to planning quality in four supra-national European regions.  Landscape encroachment is a major reason for resistance in most European regions.  Lack of social justice ranks high in East-and South-Europe.  Comprehensive strategic planning potentially reduces problems with resistance.

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The importance of on-site evaluation for placing renewable energy in the landscape: A case study of the Búrfell wind farm (Iceland)

Abstract: Using a case study of the Búrfell wind farm project, a large wind farm proposed in the Central

Cited by 16 publications

References 57 publications

Nature conservation as a driver in wind energy scenarios

Nature conservation as a driver in wind energy scenarios

Conflicting imaginaries in the energy transition? Nature and renewable energy in Iceland

Regional variation in public acceptance of wind energy development in Europe: What are the roles of planning procedures and participation?

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