Sustainability indicators to assess the socio-technical interface of the energy system

The energy system plays a key role within the concept of Sustainable Development. Energy policy in Germany is aware of this and anxious to achieve a secure, affordable and ecologically compatible energy supply which is free... [ view full abstract ]

The energy system plays a key role within the concept of Sustainable Development. Energy policy in Germany is aware of this and anxious to achieve a secure, affordable and ecologically compatible energy supply which is free from nuclear power and based on a growing share of renewables and increasing energy efficiency. To transform Germany’s energy system and to reach the ambitious long-term targets of the Energiewende various measures were adopted in the individual fields of action. Besides, the German government established the “Energy of the future” monitoring process to ensure that the Energiewende develops in the desired direction. The core indicators of this monitoring process are corresponding with the quantitative targets of the Energy Concept. They are focusing mainly on energy supply, energy efficiency, renewable energies, greenhouse gas emissions and macro-economic effects. Other aspects such as the society’s ability to participate in and respond to the Energiewende are widely neglected in this monitoring process. As a consequence decision-makers in politics and industry are not aware of the compliance of their strategies and measures with society’s expectations and apprehensions. This lack of knowledge can lead to wrong decisions and bad investments. To avoid undesirable developments a set of sustainability indicators is needed covering ecological, economic as well as socio-technical aspects.
Against this background, a comprehensive and coherent set of sustainability indicators has been developed within the Helmholtz Alliance ENERGY-TRANS for assessing the German energy system and the Energiewende based on the Integrative Concept of Sustainability. The presentation will highlight the indicators developed to illustrate the socio-technical interface of the energy system. These indicators reflect the fair distribution of socio-economic chances and challenges among the population as well as society´s ability to participate in and respond to the German energy transition. Moreover, cross impacts among these indicators will be addressed and discussed.