Feasible Futures for the Common Good – Energy Transition Paths in a Period of lncreasing Resource Scarcities

The transition to an energy system that is based on renewable energy sources needs non-renewable resources (fossil fuels, metals). The problem is the scarcity of these resources which is going to increase over the next years. As a matter of fact the turnaround to renewable energy systems might slow down due to the potential lack in resources. Moreover the economy might be affected too and therefore the willingness to invest in new technologies.

The project „Feasible Futures” examines
1) Physical requirements of renewable energy systems
2) Probable (dependent on geological and geopolitical factors) availability of key resources
3) the effect of resource scarcity on the switch of energy systems in Austria and world wide
4) Risk and feasibility in terms of energy policy strategies due to the possibility of resource scarcity (In Austria and the EU)

In the space of this work, scenarios for the shift in energy systems are going to be analyzed. Finally recommendations in regards to politics with a focus on macroeconomic parameters and innovative socioeconomic regulatory attempts are discussed.

Projected key results

• Assessment of the availability of important key resources (metals, fossil fuels) until 2050
• Overview of the resource use of main energy technologies which use renewable energy sources
• Sectoral demand profiles for key resources (metals) until 2050
• Economic model of the effects of resource scarcity
• Policy recommendations