Transition to alternative energy supply. The case of windpower

This article looks at ways of bringing about a shift in technological regime away from hydrocarbon based energy technologies, in order to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. With specific reference to windpower as one innovation that represents a more environmentally friendly energy generating activity, the potential for a technological shift is examined in terms of factors facilitating/inhibiting the diffusion of windpower, and the technology and policy drivers involved. It appears that, although windpower cannot replace the carbon economy by itself, there are no obvious technical reasons why it cannot form part of a combination of renewables which make a significant contribution to our electrical energy. However, windpower - and other renewables - are providing energy which contributes to the existing structure of energy distribution, and thus any change in technical regime is occurring within the system of power generation rather than within the whole energy system. (Author)