Regional Energy & Sustainability

The sub-project " Regional energy and sustainability" develops a strategy for mid-sized towns to use digital technologies through which they can promote the use of renewable energy, sustainable behavior and the expansion of sustainable energy production in the region. It will explore whether targeted information, gamification approaches, and a positive motivational approach can encourage the use of regional energy and support the expansion of renewable energy in mid-sized towns and their surrounding areas. In view of a stagnating expansion of onshore wind power plants, which is also due to local resistance against plant construction, a promotion of acceptance and active participation plays an elementary role. Accordingly, this sub-project will comprehensively investigate possible barriers around the topic of sustainable electricity demand and the regional expansion of renewable energies. Mid-sized towns are in the focus of the considerations, since they and their surroundings are particularly suitable for the expansion of wind power and large-scale photovoltaic plants due to the often good conditions. On the one hand, it should be better understood under which conditions regional, sustainable energy is perceived by residents as particularly worthy of support. On the other hand, factors are to be identified through which the regions and their inhabitants increasingly support the common goal of 'sustainability'. The co-benefits for mid-sized towns, i.e. the positive effects and potentials of sustainable behavior and the promotion of renewable energies for the regions, will also be focused on. These co-benefits can, for example, contribute to the regional development of mid-sized towns and increase the attractiveness of the locations from the perspective of both industry and the population.