Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
11.2.2 Chain Reactions Can Be Partially Managed
his study should have hopefully highlighted the futility inherent in trying
to establish a best practice manual for wind power policy formulation. Each
nation is characterized by unique sociocultural, technological, economic,
and political conditions. hese conditions then come together in an elabo-
rate dance to form a causal pattern of dynamic change that is far too com-
plex to comprehensively model. herefore, the best that we can hope for is
to highlight conditions that have proven to be inluential in catalyzing wind
power difusion and try and manage inluential variables in a way to engen-
der positive feedbacks that dampen resistance and drive change.
his should not be misconstrued to suggest that applying the Political
SET framework is organized guesswork. he approach that is being advo-
cated in this topic is a common practice in applied chaos theory. As chaos
theorist Eric Beinhocker contends, under conditions of uncertainty—which
is characteristic of complex adaptive systems—the most resilient strategy
is to enhance data collection and analysis to better predict likely trends and
then prepare organizationally to react and alter course expediently when
anticipated trends do not emerge in the manner predicted.
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hinking back
to the Danish case study, this is precisely what Danish energy policymakers
have been doing to drive wind power difusion—apply best available knowl-
edge, and monitor and react expediently to change.
Applied back to the Political SET framework, policymakers can use the
insights from Chapter 10 to begin to craft strategy for optimizing wind
power difusion; however, they must be cognizant of the fact that each
nation is shaped by a diferent conlation of sociocultural, technological,
economic, and political conditions that will catalyze varied responses to ini-
tial policy initiatives. Under such circumstances policymakers need to be
fully aware of market developments and must be prepared to adjust policy
to meet emergent challenges.
11.2.3 Favorable Conditions Still Need to Be Managed
A recent avenue of wind power policy focuses on trying to explicate best prac-
tice.
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he premise behind this is that policies that have worked in a number of
nations can be replicated in other nations. Although the application of battle-
ield tested policies can engender positive feedback within a nation's energy
policy STEP environment, there is no guarantee that best practice applied in
a rigid manner will always engender positive feedback. As the case studies on
wind power in Denmark and Germany exemplify, although the Danish and
