Conflicts surrounding renewable energy plants on the municipal level. A sociological analysis of conflict constellations, dynamics and power

Given the key role of municipalities in the transformation of the energy system and observing the increased occurrence of conflicts about the construction of renewable energy plants, the author analyses conflicts relating to renewable energy plants from a sociological perspective. For this purpose, she undertakes three case studies on the construction of biogas and wind power plants, focusing in particular on the parties involved in the conflicts and their positions, perceptions, actions and potency. She shows that the conflicting parties were either in favour of the construction of the plants or advocated the preservation of the sites on which the plants were proposed to be built.