Socio-ecological Innovations

Within the framework of the German energy system transformation, alternative electricity initiatives function as socio-ecological innovations that contribute significantly to the sustainable development of cities. Thus they have a special social benefit and a corresponding value for the transformation process. Andrea Wiesholzer analysed such socio-ecological innovations in the context of her master thesis "Socio-Ecological Innovations in the Context oft he German 'Energiewende'", which she wrote at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, using several examples.

With the selected topic, she has turned her attention to an area that is currently of great importance to local authorities and districts. The focus of her work lies on the question society, how the energy system transformation can be promoted by socio-ecological innovations and was cared for by the Wuppertal Institute. So far, the aspect of socio-ecological innovations has not received enough attention either in municipal practice or in science, which is why the results of the student research project are highly relevant for both of them.

The thesis was published in the series "Wuppertaler Studienarbeiten zur nachhaltigen Entwicklung" and have been supervised by the Wuppertal Institute in cooperation with the respective universities, accepted by the universities and given an excellent mark.

The Wuppertaler Studienarbeit "Socio-Ecological Innovations in the Context of the German 'Energiewende'" no. 15 can be downloaded from the following link.