(Not) knowing climate-friendly energy futures

Abstract

The energy transition in Germany concisely illustrates opportunities and limitations of scientific future knowledge. Energy futures are developed and elaborated primarily in science and politics: On the one hand, science aims at providing possible, rational, probable, optimized, and/or socially acceptable pathways and options for a climate-friendly energy system. On the other hand, policy makers need support and advice for deciding on and implementing the energy transition process. This contribution reflects on potentials and challenges of several scientific energy future concepts against the characteristics of socio-technical energy systems.