Towards Islands of SustainabilityEnergy Self Supply for the Tourism Island of Spiekeroog in 2030

Thesis supervisors: Mikael Backman, Han Brezet

Maria Petrasova, Budapest, CEU, June 14, 2010

MESPOM

2008-2010

Outline

• Introduction

• Methodology

• Current situation on Spiekeroog

• Future visions & scenarios

• Roadmap

• Recommendations

– C2CI project– Research problem & research question

– Research methods– Theoretical & analytical framework

– Evaluation of future scenarios– Conditions for transition

Small Islands as “islands of sustainability”

Small size &

isolated context

microcosms -

laboratories for sustainability

.

Significant challenges:

sustainability problems more urgent

Great opportunities:

cells of innovations & frontrunners

Islands of sustainability – bottom-up approach towards SD

Cradle to cradle islands (C2CI)

• Cradle to Cradle concept

• Aim: innovative sustainable

solutions in: water, energy

& materials

• 6 countries

• Partnership:

– 10 islands

– 12 design & educational

organisations

Introduction

Research problem

• Ambitious policy goals and future visions – C2CI goal – in 30 years– Dutch Wadden Sea islands – in 2020 – Spiekeroog – energy self supply in 2030

• How to make a transition & achieve these goals?• Samsø example: totally self-sufficient in electricity produced by

different local renewable sources• Other islands like mass tourism island Spiekeroog: much more

tourists & local limitations for new energy generation

Research question:

• To explore how to make transition of tourism island Spiekeroog towards energy self-sufficiency by 2030 through significant reduction of energy (electricity) consumption

Aim:

• Which insights – particularly in terms of a roadmap – can be gained for future sustainable energy systems, using the backcasting approach as a tool and Spiekeroog C2C Island as a case study?

Research methods

Literature review

Study visit & stakeholders

interviews

Creativity & backcasting workshop

Expert & stakeholders consultations

Theories of system transition

Transition and innovation system theories:

Transition Management

Functions of innovation system

Backcasting approach TRANSCE Sociotechnical scenarios

Analytical framework: essential elements for roadmap

Drivers for structural change ?

Necessary changes ?

Future scenarios ?

niche

regime

Current state ?

Future goal & vision ?

2010 20302020

environment Macro trends

Stakeholders’ interactions

Spiekeroog

• Second smallest East Frisian island• Population: 803 inhabitants• Area: 19 km2 (≈17 km2 protected area)

Current situation:

Spiekeroog in general

• Largest European wetland area• Largest mudflats world-wide• High biological productivity & natural

dynamics

Tourism on Spiekeroog

• Tourism since 1820! • Tourism: main source of income: 98 %• Mass tourism destination: March-October, Christmas• Typical tourists: families with children & seniors• Generations of tourists (≈ 70 % are coming regularly)

Nature Old village (1600) – world heritage

Energy system of Spiekeroog

• Electricity: cable from mainland, turbine & solar• Current local production 9 %• With new turbine - expected production 47%

• Heat: pipe with natural gas from the mainland• Transport: ferries; free of cars; e-cars; bicycle: only inhabitants

Current situation:

• Limited possibilities & opportunities to produce more electricity based on local renewable sources – nature & old buildings, main economical resources (valuable for tourists) under the Government protection

• Many old historical buildings – difficult & expensive to renovate• Islanders very sensitive to any changes – can badly affect

tourism development – only one economical activity on the island

• Local people quite wealthy – tourists can be only one considerable motivation to change

Future vision:• Self-sufficiency in the use of renewable energy in the future • only without any visual damage

Future goal:

Ele

ctric

ity d

eman

d

2010 2030

- 50% electricity demand

years

new electricity production

reduction of electricity demand

Future scenarios

• renovation of existing buildings to eco-buildings• low-energy appliances• smart houses & grid

• side demand management measures• tourists-residents interactions

• new tourists: active pensioners and workers• stay longer – combine work & pleasure; • more community based services

• less more exclusive tourists – the same income • diversification of local economical activities• more self sufficient in many regards

Own sustainability

Conditions for transition

Renewable - unattractive

Residents’ passive position

Luxury tourism services

Building renovations

Sustainable behavior

Competitive market for

green innovations

Networks

Motivation to replace

inefficient equipment

Information& learning

Green tourists feedback & marketing

Roadmap:Energy Self Supply for Spiekeroog in 2030

Pre-development & take-off Acceleration phase Stabilization

System transition curve

Roadmap• Predevelopment and take-off (2010-2014)

– necessary conditions are created and the transition starts– changes are not very visible– actions: demonstration and pilot projects raising awareness, providing

information and diffusing knowledge through new networks → learning processes among residents and tourists

• Acceleration phase (2015-2025)– visible changes– sustainable innovations becoming part of everyday life and common

practice for the islanders and tourists– actions to stimulate healthy competitions in tourism businesses for ‘green’

innovations by different benchmarking and awards schemes

• Stabilization phase (2026-2030)

Recommendations

• Future vision – green and low energy demanding island

• ‘Shame and name’ list for tourism businesses

• Demonstration projects: – renovation of holiday house to low-energy or energy plus house; – renovation of old historical building; – two renovated buildings equipped with smart metering & optimized into

smart house and micro grid;

Recommendations

• More information

– information & knowledge about different sustainable solutions – easily available & demonstrative

– current national policies & EU programs in area of innovations & EE

• Local eco-certification scheme in tourism sector: – annually revised criteria, monitoring & control,– raising awareness & educating residents and tourists, – green feedbacks & different tourist-islanders interactions through smart

metering, benchmarking schemes & other awards– green marketing & climate friendly holidays– new & existing networks

Thank you for your attention!

Any questions or comments?