Institute of Geonics, ASCR, v. v. i. – Department of Environmental Geography Drobného 28, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic

School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, Arizona State University, P Box 875302, Tempe, AZ 85287-5302, USA.

Research Institute of Geography and the Lived Environment School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh Drummond Street, Edinburgh EH8 9XP UK

New Trends and Challenges for Energy Geographies: Introduction to The Special Issue

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The networked nature of energy systems produces geographies of connection, but the focus of this paper is on geographies of disconnection, exploring the multi-scalar processes which shape the context in which energy landscapes emerge. It does so, first, by presenting a case study of farmers' attitudes to perennial energy crops in south-west Scotland. Their strong antipathy to converting farmland to short-rotation coppice, and the reasons for their negative attitudes, exemplify some of the wider mismatches and disconnects which the paper goes on to discuss. These include socio-political and socio-cultural mismatches, and a range of essentially geographical disconnects which are scalar in nature, such as the familiar local-global tension and the mismatch between the scales (both temporal and spatial) at which environmental and human systems organise and function. The discussion shows how these disjunctions not only affect energy geographies but also raise far-reaching questions about the ability of current governance structures and liberal democratic systems to respond swiftly and effectively to global challenges. The way that these mismatches are negotiated will mould both the character of future energy landscapes and the speed at which they take shape.</abstract>

Scales of Disconnection: Mismatches Shaping the Geographies of Emerging Energy Landscapes

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Perceptions of energy crop production are assessed in this paper. The Görlitz district (Germany) serves as a case study area for this purpose. Semi-structured interviews with farmers and standardized surveys among lay persons were conducted. Many farmers perceive themselves being responsible for providing many ecosystem services. Farmers prefer a regional scale of energy crop cultivation based on conventional crops. Improved legal frameworks and incentives would safeguard equal competition and ecosystem services. Laypersons think that drinking water, food production, biodiversity and pollination are the most important ecosystem services of agricultural landscapes. Providing biomass for renewable energy production is not considered to be an important ecosystem service. Laypersons believe that biomass production should be restricted to fields that are not needed for food production, and the use of residues or landscape management materials. According to laypersons, more money should be spent to halt the decline of ecosystem services.</abstract>

Strategic Landscape Planning and Management Emil-Ramann-Str. 6, 85354 Freising, Germany

Leibniz Insitute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development Weberplatz 1, 01217 Dresden, Germany

Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research Eberswalder Straße 84, 15374 Müncheberg, Germany

Perceptions of Energy Crop Production by Lay People and Farmers Using the Ecosystem Services Approach

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Over the last few years, many European countries experienced a rapid growth of photovoltaic (PV) power plants. For example, more than 20, 000 new PV power plants were built in the Czech Republic. The high spatial and temporal variability of the solar resource and subsequent PV power plant production, poses new challenges for the reliability and predictability of the power grid system. In this paper, we analyse the most recent data on PV power plants built in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, with a focus on the spatial distribution of these installations. We have found that these power plants scarcely follow the solar resource potential and, apparently, other factors affect decisions for their location. Recent changes in the support schemes for solar applications also influence these patterns, with new installations mostly confined to built-up areas. These changes will require new tools to assess the appropriate locations of PV systems.</abstract>

The Spatial Distribution of Photovoltaic Power Plants in Relation to Solar Resource Potential: The Case of the Czech Republic and Slovakia

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Small-scale renewable energy systems in the context of the development of distributed generation, are discussed for the case of Poland. A distributed energy system is efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly, and is one of the most recent trends in the development of the energy sector in Poland. One of the important dimensions of this process is the creation of micro- and small-power producers based on renewable, locally-available energy sources. It is clear that the development of small-scale renewable energy producers takes place in two ways. One of these is through small hydropower plants, which are the aftermath of hydropower development in areas traditionally associated with water use for energy purposes (northern and western Poland). The second is through other renewable energy sources, mainly biogas and solar energy and located primarily in southern Poland, in highly urbanized areas (e.g. Śląskie Voivodship). In conclusion, the development of small-scale renewable energy systems in Poland is regarded as a good option with respect to sustainable development.</abstract>

Small-Scale Renewable Energy Systems in the Development of Distributed Generation in Poland

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The successful diffusion of sustainable technologies is termed “upscaling” in the transition studies literature. This paper maintains that upscaling is an ambiguous notion that suggests that technology diffusion processes follow a linear trend from small-scale pilot plants to industrial-scale facilities. On the ground, however, socio-technical configurations are implemented at a variety of scales, simultaneously. These issues are demonstrated in this paper by analysing the historical development of the Austrian biomass district heating niche. Drawing on secondary statistical data and primary qualitative semi-structured interviews, it is possible to identify four generic socio-technical configurations or dominant designs that, in conjunction, shape the diffusion dynamics of this technology in Austria</abstract>

The (UP)Scaling of Renewable Energy Technologies: Experiences from The Austrian Biomass District Heating Niche

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Focusing on coal energy from a geographical perspective, the unintended regional consequences of coal mining and combustion in the Czech Republic are discussed and analysed in terms of the environmental injustice and resource curse theories. The explorative case study attempts to identify significant associations between the spatially uneven distribution of coal power plants and the environmental and socioeconomic characteristics and development trends of affected areas. The findings indicate that the coal industries have contributed to slightly above average incomes and pensions, and have provided households with some technical services such as district heating. However, these positive effects have come at high environmental and health costs paid by the local populations. Above average rates of unemployment, homelessness and crime indicate that the benefits have been unevenly distributed economically. A higher proportion of uneducated people and ethnic minorities in affected districts suggest that coal energy is environmentally unjust.</abstract>

A Curse of Coal? Exploring Unintended Regional Consequences of Coal Energy in The Czech Republic

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The quest for sustainable energy, one of the greatest challenges of the 21st century, calls for more input from academics than 'simply' producing good science. Geographical imaginations are as old as storytelling and mapmaking, but this essay is neither about 'long ago and far away', nor about utopian energy futures. This is a call to geographers to engage with 'alternative present' energy scenarios, using the full range of analytical and discursive tools at our disposal. Drawing on a diverse tradition of imagined spaces and the awareness of absences (material, relational or otherwise), geographers should be able to contribute to the quest for a more sustainable society by assessing, envisaging, and communicating a counterfactual 'here and now', based on good practices existing right now, but not (yet) right here. We need to understand how much more sustainable our bit of the planet would be if we could just, environmentally speaking, 'keep up' with the best of our neighbours. This counterfactual present should be seen as neither radical nor utopian, because it only assumes the historic adoption of best practices which we now know to be feasible and successful. And if thi alternative current scenario looks radically different from the 'real' state we are in, then this goes to show how radically unsustainable our business-as-usual approach has been.</abstract>

Landscapes of Lost Energy: Counterfactual Geographical Imaginary for A More Sustainable Society

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Moravian Geographical Reports

 The Moravian Geographical Reports [MGR] is a peer-reviewed international journal that has been published in English continuously since 1993 by The Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geonics, through its Department of Environmental Geography. The journal followed the traditions of the Reports of the Institute of Geography of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, a journal which was published from 1963 to 1992. The title of the journal celebrates its origins in the historic lands of Moravia in the eastern half of the Czech Republic. Since 2023, the MGR is co-published by Palacký University Olomouc, Faculty of Science through its Department of Geography.  The MGR has been indexed in the SCOPUS database since 1993. In 2012, the MGR was selected for coverage in the WEB OF SCIENCE (Thomson Reuters/Clarivate Analytics) products and customs information services. Beginning with Volume 19 (2011), this publication is indexed and abstracted in the Social Science Citation Index ®, Current Contents Connect ®, and Journal Citation Reports/Social Science Edition ®.  The Moravian Geographical Reports is a non-commercial open-access journal, publishing electronic articles in the “platinum” open-access mode (i.e., no fees for readers and no article processing charges or publication fees for authors). MGR is published four times per year -- at the end of every third month of the year. Beginning with Volume 21 (2013), the electronic contents are published also on the De Gruyter/Sciendo publishing company website. Starting with Volume 28 (2020), the journal is published only in electronic form.  As a general purpose geographical journal, MGR receives and evaluates articles contributed by both human and physical geographers, as well as by other researchers who specialize in related disciplines, including the social sciences (environmental studies, regional and urban planning, etc.) and geosciences. The MGR aims to publish rigorous and impactful research on topics responding to the role of regions and localities in a globalized society, given the geographic scale at which they are evaluated.  We recognize the challenges that our society needs to cope with during the current environmental crisis and emphasize the unique role of Geography in understanding the processes of sustainability transition and climate change adaptation, by paying attention to particular geographic settings, spatial configurations, and the dynamics of networks within which the processes are contextualized. Several inter-related questions are stressed: problems of regional economies and society; society in an urban or rural context; spatial organization of geographical systems; the quality of life and spatial behaviours; regional perspectives on the impacts of human activities on landscapes and environments; energy sustainability and environmental restoration; and geographic processes in landscape evolution, including the evaluation of hazards. Theoretical questions in geography are also addressed, especially the relations between human and physical geography in their regional dimensions.  The journal has a distinct regional orientation, broadly for countries in Europe, with a special emphasis on issues that are different for Central and/or East-Central Europe. Submissions dealing with regions outside of Europe are not accepted, except for invited contributions to thematic Special Issues. For a detailed description of the types of papers accepted for publication, our review process and indications for the preparation of submissions, see the Guide for Authors.  ACCESS TO THE JOURNAL: Information on the Journal’s aims and scope, Instructions for authors, Calls for Special Issues, and full contents are available free online at: http://www.geonika.cz/mgr.html and https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/mgr/mgr-overview.xml  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 