Rainer Walz – författare

In the last decades it has become more and more imperative for our societies, and for decision makers in all areas of society, to understand the dynamics through which innovation systems develop and through which socio-technical systems transform themselves. As both innovation and transformation are strongly intertwined, it has equally become imperative to analyse their dynamics as well as their interplay.This open access volume reflects on the research fields that have developed in the last five decades to do exactly that. It defines and delineates research on systems and innovation as encompassing the scientific study of, first, the conditions, dynamics and impacts associated with the generation and uptake of innovations and, second, the development and transformation of functional systems satisfying essential needs such as the provision of energy or water. Further, the area of Systems and Innovation Research (SIR) is characterised by problem and stakeholder oriented research. We chose five decades as time frame because we noted that roughly 50 years ago a number of research institutes dedicated to SIR were founded and the SIR area started to grow significantly. We present a systematic history of nine selected fields within the area of SIR (Innovation policy, Innovation indicators, Foresight, Policy Evaluation, Technology Assessment, Production Paradigms, Renewable Energies, Energy Efficiency, Water Use). We also present a conceptual framework to understand the processes by which the research fields have developed.This allows to draw general lessons as to what drives fields throughout their development and how their role vis-à-vis policy, businesses and societies changes over time. It also allows to speculate about future challenges and trends in the SIR area. This is important because, if anything, the need to govern transformation through innovation will further grow in the future, and with it the need to understand the underlying dynamics.

In the last decades it has become more and more imperative for our societies, and for decision makers in all areas of society, to understand the dynamics through which innovation systems develop and through which socio-technical systems transform themselves. As both innovation and transformation are strongly intertwined, it has equally become imperative to analyse their dynamics as well as their interplay.This open access volume reflects on the research fields that have developed in the last five decades to do exactly that. It defines and delineates research on systems and innovation as encompassing the scientific study of, first, the conditions, dynamics and impacts associated with the generation and uptake of innovations and, second, the development and transformation of functional systems satisfying essential needs such as the provision of energy or water. Further, the area of Systems and Innovation Research (SIR) is characterised by problem and stakeholder oriented research. We chose five decades as time frame because we noted that roughly 50 years ago a number of research institutes dedicated to SIR were founded and the SIR area started to grow significantly. We present a systematic history of nine selected fields within the area of SIR (Innovation policy, Innovation indicators, Foresight, Policy Evaluation, Technology Assessment, Production Paradigms, Renewable Energies, Energy Efficiency, Water Use). We also present a conceptual framework to understand the processes by which the research fields have developed.This allows to draw general lessons as to what drives fields throughout their development and how their role vis-à-vis policy, businesses and societies changes over time. It also allows to speculate about future challenges and trends in the SIR area. This is important because, if anything, the need to govern transformation through innovation will further grow in the future, and with it the need to understand the underlying dynamics.

Dieser "mittlere Kommentar" zum HGB knüpft in 2. Auflage an den bewährten Heymann''schen Kommentar zum Handelsgesetzbuch an. Das Konzept der 1. Auflage, für jedes der vier Bücher des HGB einen handlichen Band mit eigenem Register vorzusehen, hat sich bewährt: dem Praktiker des Handelsrechts ein zuverlässiges, praxisnahes, benutzerfreundliches und wissenschaftlich fundiertes Erläuterungswerk zu bieten.

Klare Stoffgliederungen mit vorangestellten Übersichten, gute Lesbarkeit, Randnummern, Fußnoten und ausführliche Literaturnachweise knüpfen an die Vorzüge der Vorauflage an und sollen dafür sorgen, für Praxis und Wissenschaft ein bewährtes Arbeitsmittel auf dem neuesten Stand zu bieten.

Das Werk wurde gründlich aktualisiert, Gesetzgebung, Rechtsprechung und Literatur seit Erscheinen der Vorauflage sind eingearbeitet.

Dieses Buch zum Vergleich der Elektrizitätswirtschaft in den USA und Deutschland befaßt sich mit den Hemmnissen der Stromeinsparung und Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung. Die Maßnahmen zu deren Abbau in den USA und der BRD werden differenziert analysiert und bewertet. Neue Entwicklungen wie die Reform der Investitions- und Tarifaufsicht, eine Internalisierung der externen Kosten und das Instrument des Least-Cost-Planning werden gezielt aufgegriffen. Außerdem werden die unterschiedlichen Rahmenbedingungen der Elektrizitätswirtschaft erfaßt und die systembestimmenden Determinanten herausgearbeitet. Mit diesem umfassenden Ansatz wird den vielfältigen Wechselbeziehungen und Zusammenhängen der Energiepolitik Rechnung getragen.

Dieses Buch zum Vergleich der Elektrizitätswirtschaft in den USA und Deutschland befaßt sich mit den Hemmnissen der Stromeinsparung und Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung. Die Maßnahmen zu deren Abbau in den USA und der BRD werden differenziert analysiert und bewertet. Neue Entwicklungen wie die Reform der Investitions- und Tarifaufsicht, eine Internalisierung der externen Kosten und das Instrument des Least-Cost-Planning werden gezielt aufgegriffen. Außerdem werden die unterschiedlichen Rahmenbedingungen der Elektrizitätswirtschaft erfaßt und die systembestimmenden Determinanten herausgearbeitet. Mit diesem umfassenden Ansatz wird den vielfältigen Wechselbeziehungen und Zusammenhängen der Energiepolitik Rechnung getragen.

In its latest Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) projects that without further action the global average surface t- perature would rise by a further 1. 8–4. 0°C until the end of this century. But even if the rise in temperature could be limited to the lower end of this range, irreversible and possibly catastrophic changes are likely to occur. Consequently, the protection of the earth’s atmosphere requires substantial efforts to reduce CO and other green- 2 house gas emissions – especially in countries with very high per capita emissions. To limit the imminent rise in temperature, in the Kyoto-Protocol, the European Union has committed itself to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases by 8% up to 2008–2012 compared to 1990 levels. Within the EU burden sharing agr- ment, some countries have to achieve even higher emissions reductions. Germany was assigned a reduction target of 21%. The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol in February 2005 marks a first step towards meting global climate targets, but more ambitious action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is needed after 2012, when the Kyoto targets expire. Under German presidency, the EU has committed itself to unilaterally reduce its greenhouse gas emissions until 2020 by 20%. In case a Post- Kyoto agreement can be reached, the EU reduction target would be 30% (CEU, 2007).

In its latest Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) projects that without further action the global average surface t- perature would rise by a further 1. 8–4. 0°C until the end of this century. But even if the rise in temperature could be limited to the lower end of this range, irreversible and possibly catastrophic changes are likely to occur. Consequently, the protection of the earth’s atmosphere requires substantial efforts to reduce CO and other green- 2 house gas emissions – especially in countries with very high per capita emissions. To limit the imminent rise in temperature, in the Kyoto-Protocol, the European Union has committed itself to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases by 8% up to 2008–2012 compared to 1990 levels. Within the EU burden sharing agr- ment, some countries have to achieve even higher emissions reductions. Germany was assigned a reduction target of 21%. The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol in February 2005 marks a first step towards meting global climate targets, but more ambitious action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is needed after 2012, when the Kyoto targets expire. Under German presidency, the EU has committed itself to unilaterally reduce its greenhouse gas emissions until 2020 by 20%. In case a Post- Kyoto agreement can be reached, the EU reduction target would be 30% (CEU, 2007).

In its latest Assessment Report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2007) projects that without further action the global average surface t- perature would rise by a further 1. 8–4. 0°C until the end of this century. But even if the rise in temperature could be limited to the lower end of this range, irreversible and possibly catastrophic changes are likely to occur. Consequently, the protection of the earth’s atmosphere requires substantial efforts to reduce CO and other green- 2 house gas emissions – especially in countries with very high per capita emissions. To limit the imminent rise in temperature, in the Kyoto-Protocol, the European Union has committed itself to reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases by 8% up to 2008–2012 compared to 1990 levels. Within the EU burden sharing agr- ment, some countries have to achieve even higher emissions reductions. Germany was assigned a reduction target of 21%. The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol in February 2005 marks a first step towards meting global climate targets, but more ambitious action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is needed after 2012, when the Kyoto targets expire. Under German presidency, the EU has committed itself to unilaterally reduce its greenhouse gas emissions until 2020 by 20%. In case a Post- Kyoto agreement can be reached, the EU reduction target would be 30% (CEU, 2007).

The future of modern societies depends on their ability to deal with the challenge of climate change in the coming decades. One essential component is a better understanding of innovation processes in the energy sector. This book focuses on sustainability innovations in renewable energies, combined heat and power, and energy service contracting, and analyses the institutions, actors and functions within the innovation system. Of particular interest is the question of whether the joint effect of EU-driven market liberalization and climate policies will succeed in establishing market forces that will drive actors towards more climate-friendly energy production. A special focus is on the role of local utilities in the electricity sector as opposed to large transmission net operators or regional net operators. The countries covered in the contributions include Germany, Denmark, the UK, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

The future of modern societies depends on their ability to deal with the challenge of climate change in the coming decades. One essential component is a better understanding of innovation processes in the energy sector. This book focuses on sustainability innovations in renewable energies, combined heat and power, and energy service contracting, and analyses the institutions, actors and functions within the innovation system. Of particular interest is the question of whether the joint effect of EU-driven market liberalization and climate policies will succeed in establishing market forces that will drive actors towards more climate-friendly energy production. A special focus is on the role of local utilities in the electricity sector as opposed to large transmission net operators or regional net operators. The countries covered in the contributions include Germany, Denmark, the UK, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.