Energy Regions: ‘guiding visions’ that work? The normative dimension of transition dynamics

1. Energy Regions: ‘guiding visions’ that work? The normative dimension of transition dynamics Philipp Späth (IFZ) WS: ‚Politics and governance in sustainable socio-technical transitions‘ Berlin, 19.-21. Sept. 2007

2. Outline • the role of ‘guiding visions’ (coordination) in transitions • example: ‘Energy Regions’ in Austria • inspirations for ‘transition managers’ • the art of aligning resources with heterogeneous actor networks • stages of maturation from vision to socially binding norm • dilemmas and limitations Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

3. The role of ‘guiding visions’ for ‘Transition Management’ • ‘guiding visions’ central to TM approach • but not substantiated in historical analyses of transitions => look at ongoing processes with intentional shaping of ‘guiding visions’ • specify ‘guiding vision’: • ‘Leitbilder’ in technology development (Dierkes et al.) • ‘prospective structures’ “ “ “ (Van Lente/Rip) • ‘Leitbilder’ in urban and regional planning Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

4. Empirical background: four case studies on ‘Energy Regions’ • A research project 2/06 – 7/07 • ‚strategic accompanying project‘ within the R&D-Programme: „Energy Systems of Tomorrow“ (BMVIT) • 4 Case studies: - ‚EnergieVision Murau‘ (Upper Styria) - ‚EnergieRegion Weiz-Gleisdorf‘ (East Styria) - ‚EnergieRegion Ost-Steiermark‘ (East Styria) - ‚ÖkoenergieRegion Salzburg-Hallein‘ (Greater Salzburg) • Other partners: - IFZ, - Ökologie-Institut, - ARC Systems Research - Faber Communications Consulting Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

5. ‘Energy Regions’ in Austria • initiatives to label regions as (Eco-) ‘Energy Region’ • attempts to focus regional development objectives • partly participatory processes of objective setting • actor networks on green energy provision (& efficiency) • Regional Scale: • Sub-provincial, inter-municipal level (min. ~30.000 people..) • Unique sets of primary energy sources/ companies/ institutions… • Starting points for regional ‘identity’ • Frequent face to face communication • Opportunities for funding of projects (regional development) Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

6. One Example: The Murau Energy Vision • A predominantly rural, alpine district in Upper Styria • An initiative by Regional Energy Agency + Consultant • Workshops involving ~ 30 regional ‘energy experts’ • Developing the vision of an ‘energy autonomous’ district The “Murau Energy Objectives for 2015” • The district of Murau is energy autonomous (‘energieautark’) with regard to heat and electricity (= 100% renewable sources). • A high level of public awareness concerning an energetic circular flow economy (‘energetische Kreislaufwirtschaft’) has been achieved (also among pupils). • A surplus of value is created by a net export of energy carriers Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

7. Negotiating an agenda Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

8. Building up actor networks for implementation Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

9. Mobilising technology • Delivery service „NATURWÄRME“ • Wood Chips Ö-NORM W 30 • 37m3 container • Dust-free filling of wood chip bunker Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

10. Aligning corporate strategies and PR Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

11. Achieving attention and ‚blessings‘ Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

12. Effects of the “Murau Energy Objectives for 2015” • Decisive role for several plans and decisions • Re-formulation of calls for tender (heating systems) • Denial of provincial permission for touristic development • Coordination of corporate strategies • Etc… • Aligning of development objectives on many scales • Murau district • EU LEADER+-Region • Municipalities • Region of Upper Styria Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

13. Heterogeneous networks for the alignment of resources media attention strategic knowledge funds (reg. dev.) public campaigns public servant representative of association public investments customer relations Leitbild (& Inter-mediator) local politician local entrepreneur support schemes R&D-funds energy expert mobilised consumer technical knowledge consultancy relations private investments Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

14. Stages of maturation (to be anticipated) • required: • fit value systems • sanctioning • credibility • acceptability • trust structural effectivity • required: • - concreteness • credibility • acceptability • trust • required: • vague • attractiveness • flexibility • - dissemination social norm transforms if charged with supp.& authority Leitbild transforms if charged with support & authority shared vision transforms if charged with support & authority individual aspiration time Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

15. A tribute to politics • General problems of participatory governance • inclusiveness, accessibility, accountability • Danger of process being captured by powerful actors • sidelining usually leads to an end of cohesion • Fragility and preliminary nature of ‘consensus’ • when to re-negotiate ambiguous ‘sustainability’ objectives? • Could it be institutionalised on a broader scale? • trade off between experimental nature & protected spaces (=> cooperative mode) with political (redistributive) relevance Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

16. Conclusions • Yes, there seem to be credible opportunities for intentional co-shaping of coordinating visions • To understand their genesis & maturation, we need to look at things in between agency and structure - (Leitbilder, prospective structures) • Mastering the art of aligning resources and of gaining discursive hegemony remains both promising and elusive Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

17. Summary: The art of aligning commitments • ‘Guiding visions’ can stepwise be charged with authority • For such maturation, they need to be shaped initially in a way, which is adaptable to the requirements of higher stages of maturation • Their shape (storylines comprised, actors addressed) must allow for the commitments of all crucial stakeholders on all stages. Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

18. Conclusion • ‘Energy Regions’ reveal interesting potentials for governance of socio-technical change • A way of institutionalising a common vision as ‘consensus’ • Partly separating ‘appraisal’ and ‘commitment formation’ (Smith/Stirling 2006) • First negotiate consensus, then ‘freeze’ uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity => partly ‘objectify’ an alternative socio-technical system • Then ease building up of substantial ‘commitments’ • Just for a while! ‘Objectification’ by ‘Leitbild’ as an ingredient to the ‘productive illusion of power’? Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

19. Conclusions • ‘Energy Regions’ can be influential ‘niche’-activities • Certain selection mechanisms can be absent here • E.g. incumbents opposing initiatives for renewables/ capturing provincial energy policy/ pushing gas networks… • Alternatives mature (economically) & get (morally) fortified • Geographical & social proximity (=> regional identity) as facilitating factors • Alignment on national level? Developing! Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

20. ‘Leitbilder’ a ~specific kind of guiding vision Features: • graphic quality & emotional content • innovative but also grounded in the realms of the feasible • open for interpretation but not too abstract Functions: • reducing complexity • focus perception • motivate for action • constitute group identity Can their genesis be influenced? • build up on established norms • necessarily emergent? by nature manipulated? coordinate & synchronize complex systems/ networks Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

21. Guiding questions and approach • Guiding questions • Can ‘Leitbilder’ coordinate concrete decisions and impact on technical change on a regional level? If yes: How? • What are crucial preconditions for an impact of Energy Regions? • Features of actor networks and communication strategies • Ways to support • Approach • Trans-disciplinary: learning process among case study initiatives supported by diverse social scientists and professionals Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at

22. Binding forces / benefits a ‘Leitbild’ can deliver • Offer new conceptualisations of facts & events (frames) • Shared expectations => ‘consensus’ => reduce uncertainty • Align communications of administrations, enterprises & media • Chance for citizens to articulate their views & get heard • Offers a symbol of regional identity • Constitute an actor network reducing (transaction) costs of green energy projects • Guides & co-ordinates R&D efforts (esp. socio-technical, organisational innovation) • Channels resources to intermediaries which facilitate the building up of markets (biomass logistics, ties to demand) Spaeth@ifz.tugraz.at