The goal of project, financed by the Regiodeal of the Dutch government, is to promote sustainability, energy transition and circular economy in the border region through cooperation and knowledge exchange. The Euregional Sustainability Center is an initiative of Fontys University of Applied Science in Venlo together with ITEM/Maastricht University and various Dutch and German knowledge institutions, and companies (associations).
Students, researchers and entrepreneurs work together in the living labs and a research group on projects where applied research is carried out and knowledge is valorised.
ITEM is responsible for the renewable energy work package. The cross-border comparative research (DE-NL) should lead to a better understanding of differences and similarities in policies, measures and behaviour in the areas of renewable energy generation. Important aspects are the obstacles to cross-border renewable projects related to legal, technical and spatial planning problems.
A practical Such insights need to contribute to mutual understanding and a more intensive cooperation between the two sides of the border. The aim is to uncover opportunities and barriers for cross-border cooperation based on cross-national comparative research on renewable energies.
Regions and municipalities at the German-Dutch borders have ambitious plans and objectives to increase the share of renewable energies on the way to climate neutrality. However, other than regions in the middle of a country, the responsible stakeholders are faced with specific problems related to the border: the coordination of spatial planning is difficult for instance if it comes to wind parks. There are already some conflicts in border regions where citizens on one side of the border have the idea that they are not sufficiently involved. Electricity exchange across the border is also not always possible due to legal restrictions. This means, it is very difficult to solve current problems as for instance net congestion with more intense cross-border cooperation. In addition, national subsidy schemes and price mechanisms are obstacles to joined cross-border projects and citizens participation with the help of energy communities is still following national schemes. With the illustration of real cases of ambitious municipalities, the different obstacles will be discussed and possible option presented: despite the problems, what are promising strategies for cross-border renewable energy projects?
