Energy transition in the Austrian Climate and Energy model regions: a multi-risk participatory governance perspective on regional resilience

The Austrian Climate and Energy (CEM) model regions are facing energy transition towards a greater share of renewable energy sources in the final electricity mix. To guarantee the resilience of the CEM socio-economic and regional systems, an integrated approach towards electricity generation and transmission is necessary. The changing architecture of electricity generation is causing new challenges to the transmission grids to adapt. The cascading risks of existing and emerging risks for electricity transmission grids can lead to power outages and even blackouts. This paper argues about the need of a multi-risk approach towards risk assessment and risk governance for resilience of CEM regional electricity systems. It also discusses a multi-risk governance perspective as a tool to strengthen resilience of urban socio-economic systems against electricity blackouts. Based on extensive dialogue with stakeholders from the CEM regions over the last two years the paper develops recommendations for inclusive and participatory risk governance process. The data collection included contributions of stakeholders from public and private sector, as well as academia and civil society. The analysis of data was done in light of possible stakeholders and public engagement into decision-making processes on risk mitigation measures and strengthening of electricity infrastructure of the CEM regions in Austria for resilience in the process of energy transition. © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 7th International Conference on Building Resilience.