This book is a sociological account of the historical trajectory of feed-in tariffs (FITs) as an instrument for the promotion of renewable energy in Europe. Chapters analyse the emergence and transformations of feed-in tariffs as part of the policy arsenal developed to encourage the creation of markets for RES-E in Europe. The authors explore evolving conceptions of renewable energy policy at the intersection between environmental objectives, technological change and the ambition to liberalise the internal electricity market. They draw conclusions on the relationships between markets and policy-making as it is instituted in the European Union, and on the interplay between the implementation of a European vision on energy and national politics. Distinctive in both its approach and its methods the books aim is not to discuss the design of feed-in tariffs and their evolution, nor is it to assess their efficiency or fairness. Instead, the authors seek to understand what makes feed-in tariffs what they are, and how this has changed over time.

Discusses how feed-in tariffs promote renewable energy in Europe Investigates the relations between markets, politics and expertise in Europe based on a detailed case study. Considers FITs as market and political agencements and contributes to the discussion of market-oriented policies

Autorentext

Béatrice Cointe is a researcher in Science and Technology Studies. She wrote a PhD thesis on the emergence of photovoltaics in France at the Centre for International Research on Environment and Development (CIRED). She has held post-doctoral positions in Aix-Marseille University, France and at TIK Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture in the University of Oslo, Norway.
Alain Nadaï is a senior interdisciplinary social scientist at CIRED, the Centre for International Research on Environment and Development, which is part of the French CNRS. His research activity has been centred on environmental controversies and policies, landscape policies, and energy transition policies. He is currently researching the societal and spatial changes induced by energy transition processes. He has contributed as a lead author to the IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation (SRREN, 2011).

Inhalt

1. Agencing feed-in tariffs in the European Union.- 2. FITs and European Renewable Energy Policy Before 1996: A Tale of Two Beginnings.- 3. Tariffs, quotas, and the ideal of pan-European harmonisation from 1996 to 2001.- 4. 2001-2008: European-scale experimentation in renewable energy policy-making.- 5. Turbulence and reforms in European renewable energy policy after 2008.- 6. Conclusion.