Journal Article
Wüste, André; Schmuck, Peter
Sustainability 2012; 4(2) p.244-256
Because of the serious problems related to an energy supply based mainly on
fossil and nuclear fuels, the development of renewable energy sources is urgently needed.
In Germany, many villages and communities take energy production into their own hands,
following the principle of a community-related energy supply. Today, approximately
50 villages or communities in Germany have restructured their energy consumption
patterns to rely primarily on locally available renewable energy sources for their electricity
and heat. This article describes a qualitative interview study concerning the success factors
for the implementation of bioenergy villages. The interviews were conducted with
25 individuals who initiated the restructuring of energy production in their villages toward
bioenergy and other renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind energy.