Table 2 Empirical study: results of case studies

Important actors

• Stadtwerke Emden & EWE^a

• Private individuals, farmers^a

• Turbine producers Enercon and BARD

• Engineering firm specialized in renewable energy

• Local administration and politics (active mayor)

• Civil society/semipublic actors

• Farmers (as operators and/or substrate suppliers)^{a, b}

• Agricultural firms^{a, b}

• Machinery syndicates

• Local utility: Stadtwerke Soltau

• Local administration

Types of local actors involved in value creation

• Operators and turbine producers

• Various service providers: consulting, planning, development, and engineering firms

• Firms in construction, electrical installation/engineering, and other trades

• Operators and substrate suppliers

• Service providers, especially in planning and development

• Firms in construction, electrical installation/engineering, and tank and pipeline construction and maintenance

Characteristics of local actor relationships

• Grown structures based on long-lasting cooperation

• Joint development and implementation of innovation (with turbine producers)

• Characterized by personal contact, stability, and trust

• Production structure based on division of labor among operators and regional firms

• Network of specialized suppliers