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The scope of this research is to make quantitative estimates of the potential economic and employment impacts of renewable energy self-sufficiency. The study aims to make generalizations on a regional, or even national level, and to give directions for future research. This paper analyses direct monetary values and employment impacts in two regions, in a theoretical situation where all energy is produced by renewables from the respective region. Renewable energy, especially utilization of existing but presently unused resources, can play an important role in vitalizing regional economies, especially in rural areas. The money spent on fossil energy could be kept circulating in the regional economy. The amount spent on energy in the research areas was almost €4860 per capita per year, totalling more than €300 m annually. The existing data shows that there is the potential for self-sufficiency, or even surplus production. The results suggest that the regional economic impacts increase considerably if the region is self-sufficient in raw materials, including intermediates. On a larger scale, e.g., nationally, the loss of jobs in the fossil energy industry and the eventual variations within economies potentially based on renewable energy, will affect the overall impacts. There is at present insufficient scientific literature, knowledge or quantitative data for analysing these impacts thoroughly. This paper contributes to filling this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The main purpose of this article is to consider macro level theories for understanding the urge for reform as well as the process of societal change both in general terms, and more specifically within the energy sector. The aim is also to consider the energy sector in a wider context and analyse its recent development as a potential part of this reform. The scope and logical framework of this article is the following: The state of the global environment is approaching a point where the whole of humankind is in danger. The article reviews and discusses humankind’s limits of existence and dialectics of the human–nature relationship by contrasting Malthusian and Boserupian theoretical views. This creates both practical and scientific needs. The long societal process of change is discussed according to the three-layer (3L) model of societal chance. The production of energy has traditionally been one of the core issues concerning the effect humankind has on the environment, and with regards to potential change related to it, reforming the energy sector is in a key position. This article reviews and discusses the way the already established renewal of the energy sector corresponds to the 3L model, and the diverse potentials of the anticipated further progress. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This article summarises the results from four studies on the potential of bioenergy, and one study on the economic feasibility of distributed renewable energy production, in Ostrobothnia, Finland. The scope of the studies was to explore the degree of energy self-sufficiency that could be achieved, and the economic implications and benefits. The results suggest that a great majority of rural areas have the potential for being self-sufficient in their energy production through bioenergy alone, but other renewable energy sources (RES), including for example wind and solar power, will make an even greater contribution in the future. This applies to areas especially outside the largest population centres and most energy intensive industries. Indeed, in peripheral regions the renewable energy potential far exceeds the energy demand, and the spatial coverage of energy self-sufficiency is huge. Other European and global studies also show tremendous RES potential. The economics of small scale power generation units, here represented by biogas plants, are already feasible, despite the technology still being at an early developmental phase. Diffusion of these technologies depends on a number of factors, but single and separate units are emerging all the time. The adoption of RES based energy management systems will however be a long social process. The results give rise to an expectation for more RES based energy generation in Ostrobothnia and Finland and even in Europe and globally. In a time frame of 20–30 years, this development may result in structural changes across the whole energy sector. This comprehensive movement can only be understood and supported by multi- and cross-scientific approaches, and it will in future be a challenge for forthcoming research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]