TY - UNPB

T1 - Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Energy

T2 - How German Municipal Utilities invest in Offshore Wind Energy

AU - Richter, Mario

PY - 2012

Y1 - 2012

N2 - Offshore wind energy is considered an effective and reliable source of power withtremendous potential for Germanys' future electricity supply. Due to the technology's capital intensity and high economic risk, however, offshore wind energy has so far been considered the domain of large electric utilities. Municipal utilities on the contrary traditionally have strong ties to their community and conduct low risk business models at the regional and local level. Recently, however, German municipal utilities started to invest in offshore wind energy.The present study identifies the business models of small and medium sized municipal utilities in the field of offshore wind energy. The investigation also reveals that municipal utilities are mainly driven by return expectations, political influence, and established business relationships. The study discusses the contribution of business model innovation for the German offshore wind energy market and derives practical recommendations for municipal utilities.

AB - Offshore wind energy is considered an effective and reliable source of power withtremendous potential for Germanys' future electricity supply. Due to the technology's capital intensity and high economic risk, however, offshore wind energy has so far been considered the domain of large electric utilities. Municipal utilities on the contrary traditionally have strong ties to their community and conduct low risk business models at the regional and local level. Recently, however, German municipal utilities started to invest in offshore wind energy.The present study identifies the business models of small and medium sized municipal utilities in the field of offshore wind energy. The investigation also reveals that municipal utilities are mainly driven by return expectations, political influence, and established business relationships. The study discusses the contribution of business model innovation for the German offshore wind energy market and derives practical recommendations for municipal utilities.

KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

KW - Offshore Wind Energy

KW - Renewable Energy

KW - sustainable energy

KW - Business Model

KW - business model innovation

KW - innovation management

KW - Municipal Utility

KW - Energy Transition

KW - Entrepreneurship

M3 - Working papers

BT - Business Model Innovation for Sustainable Energy

PB - Centre for Sustainability Management

CY - Lüneburg

ER -