Bioenergy as a socio-technical system: The nexus of rules, social capital and cooperation in the development of bioenergy villages in Germany

Social resources are assumed to play an important role in the implementation of community renewable energy as a socio-technical system in Germany. The impact of social resources on the dynamics of community renewable energy has not been well understood until now. Given the importance of adapting to current and upcoming changes in the regulatory framework for renewable energy production, there is a need for a better understanding of the role of social resources in the process of sustaining community renewable energy production. Based on two case studies of bioenergy villages in the German Federal State of Brandenburg, we elucidate the nexus and impact of social capital, rules and cooperation in the development of community renewable energy. Promoting social capital that results in a balance between leadership and collective action, trust among all actors based on transparency, almost complete access to relevant information, involvement in social activities, and a consistent network of bonding and bridging ties, may contribute to the sustained development of community renewable energy.