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• The hype cycle in the Austrian anaerobic digestion (AD) niche is reconstructed. • The associated shift in understanding from a 'biogas' to a 'biomethane' frame is described. • The slow 'uptake' of the biomethane frame is explained by outlining competing technological narratives. • The normative character of technological frames is demonstrated. • A conceptual framework that relates the emergence of technological frames to hype cycle and transition dynamics is presented. Socio-technical niches are often presented as key drivers for transitioning established production and consumption systems to more sustainable configurations. In previous research, the important roles of collectively shared expectations in shaping the development and nurturing of such niches has been emphasised. At the same time, this research has shown that niches are often associated with fluctuating expectations, typically showing patterns of hype and disappointment. In this study, we analyse how such hype and disappointment patterns interact with framing dynamics by combining the concept of technological frames with the sociology of expectations and the multi-level perspective. By using the shift in understanding that has occurred from a 'biogas' to a 'biomethane' frame in the Austrian anaerobic digestion (AD) niche as an example, we shed light on niche-internal framing struggles, illustrate the normative character of technological frames, and relate the emergence of dominant frames to hype cycle and transition dynamics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite being directly related to anthropogenic consumption and production, researchers have paid less attention to understanding the dynamics of non-methane volatile organic compounds. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the persistence of potential shocks to non-methane volatile organic compounds in 20 developed from 1820 to 2019 performing traditional unit root approaches and a newly developed Fourier quantile unit root test. Great portion of the empirical results obtained by traditional unit root tests reveal that the sectoral non-methane volatile organic compounds follow a non-stationary process, while the Fourier quantile unit root test indicate quite different results. The Fourier quantile test shows that non-methane volatile organic compounds are stationary in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France and Austria. In the other 15 countries, government interventions to reduce non-methane volatile organic compounds can have lasting effects and success. The inferences and policy outcomes of the empirical results are discussed in the main body of the paper. • Research on the dynamics of non-methane volatile organic compounds. • The study focused on the persistence of potential shocks to (NMVOCs) in 20 developed from 1820 to 2019. • The Fourier quantile test shows that NMVOCs are stationary in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, France and Austria. • In the other 15 countries, government interventions to reduce NMVOCs can have lasting effects and success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current bioenergy uses and conversion technologies as well as future trends for the production of heat, power, fuels and chemicals from biomass are reviewed. The focus is placed in Austria, which is selected due to its high bioenergy utilization, providing 18.4% of the gross energy final consumption in 2017, and its strong industrial and scientific position in the field. The most common bioenergy application in Austria is bioheat with 170 PJ in 2017 mainly obtained from woody biomass combustion, followed by biofuels with 21 PJ and bioelectricity with 17 PJ. Bioheat has a stable market, where Austrian manufacturers of boilers and stoves have a strong position exporting most of their production. Future developments in bioheat production should go in the line of further reducing emissions, increasing feedstock flexibility and coupling with other renewables. For bioelectricity and biofuels, the current framework does not promote the growth of the current main technologies, i.e. combined heat and power (CHP) based on biomass combustion or biogas and first generation biofuels. However, an increase in all bioenergy uses is required to achieve the Austrian plan to be climate neutral in 2040. The current initiatives and future possibilities to achieve this increase are presented and discussed, e.g. mandatory substitution of old oil boilers, production of biomethane and early commercialization of CHP with a high efficiency or demonstration of advanced biofuels production based on gasification. • Bioenergy review focused on Austria, with a strong industrial and scientific position. • Bioenergy is the main renewable and has further sustainable potential. • Bioheat is the main use with a stable market but emissions must be further reduced. • Shift in employed technologies for bioelectricity and biofuels production. • Discussion of current outlook and future pathways for each bioenergy use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]