'Energy landscapes': Meeting energy demands and human aspirations

► We introduce concepts of space from Geography and Landscape Ecology to energy planning. ► We suggest to declare energy spaces, e.g. reserving space for future renewable energy generation. ► A top-down modelling approach estimates the potentials for different renewable energy sources. ► We calculate spatially differentiated energy potentials for Austria and within local studies. ► Most areas currently used for bioenergy were not selected to meet specific pre-defined objectives.