Ensuring social acceptance of the energy transition. The German government’s ‘consensus management’ strategy

The Climate Pact and the European Green Deal constitute the main components of the European Union (EU)’s climate change policy. Energy transition, that is, transformation to a zero-carbon global energy system, is one of the main pillars of climate change mitigation policies. This transformation, coupled with the empowerment of individuals within the energy system, shifts citizens from their roles as customers towards a more active role. Within this framework, energy communities stand out as significant facilitators for the participation of individuals and communities in the energy system, promoting self-consumption and contributing to the social acceptance of renewable energy initiatives, among other direct and indirect benefits. The main directives introducing energy communities into the EU legal system are RED II and ED 2019. This study, conducted as a part of a Horizon 2020-funded eCREW project, assessed the adaptability and implementability of these two directives within national legislation, along with the associated legal and administrative frameworks, utilizing evidence from Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. The comparative analysis also enhances the understanding of the concept of renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities, both in the EU and in nonmember countries. The results of the analysis revealed that none of the countries studied had yet completed the process of harmonizing their legislation concerning energy communities.

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New path creation in energy transition: Exploring the interplay between resource formation and social acceptance of biomass adoption in Europe

Energy Research & Social Science ◽

10.1016/j.erss.2021.102400 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 86 ◽

pp. 102400

Author(s):

Anastasia Panori ◽

Ioannis Kostopoulos ◽

Emmanouil Karampinis ◽

Alexandros Altsitsiadis

Keyword(s):

Social Acceptance ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Path Creation

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A Survey of Stakeholders’ Views and Practices

10.1007/978-3-030-80787-0_15 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 369-394

Author(s):

Mert Duygan ◽

Aya Kachi ◽

Fintan Oeri ◽

Thiago D. Oliveira ◽

Adrian Rinscheid

Keyword(s):

Social Acceptance ◽

Large Body ◽

Energy Transition ◽

The Public ◽

Policy Goals ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

The Media ◽

Original Survey ◽

Deep Geothermal Energy ◽

Transition Policy

AbstractAlong with policy proposers and individual voters, key stakeholders play a crucial role in shaping the socio-political acceptance of energy policy. Understanding a broad landscape of energy stakeholders’ views and practices thus should be a central theme in energy transition research. The Energy Strategy 2050 (ES2050), a sweeping energy transition policy package in Switzerland, was adopted in 2017. Concrete policy goals implied by ES2050 are yet to be implemented. Although there is a large body of social acceptance studies focusing on individual voters, we have a relatively scant empirical understanding of how stakeholders in this domain perceive the policy goals and how perceptions are linked to their organizational characteristics. To elucidate Swiss energy stakeholders’ perceptions on key action targets implied by recent energy policies in Switzerland, we analyzed data from our original survey with 364 organizations. We examined their views on concrete policy goals related to electric mobility, deep geothermal energy, wind energy, hydropower, and planned phase-outs of renewable energy subsidies. When asked to rate how realistic these goals appear to them, the majority of the stakeholders responded negatively. Furthermore, our findings indicate that, despite the considerable diversity and the overall pessimism in their feasibility perceptions, those that consider goals to be realistic are more likely to be active in the media. This is a concerning finding as the public might receive a biased impression via the media about the level of consensus among the stakeholders, who could, at times, be seen by the public as experts on the topic.

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Modelling of Institutional Capacity within Study of Energy Transition Dynamics

Environmental and Climate Technologies ◽

10.2478/rtuect-2021-0090 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 1193-1204

Author(s):

Ieva Farenhorste-Mikane ◽

Gatis Bazbauers ◽

Andra Blumberga ◽

Dagnija Blumberga ◽

Ivars Ijabs

Keyword(s):

Social Acceptance ◽

Energy Systems ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Institutional Capacity ◽

System Dynamics Model ◽

Dynamics Model ◽

Transition Dynamics ◽

Sustainable Energy Systems ◽

Critical Materials

Abstract Institutional capacity is enabling environment for interactions between individuals and organizations. Understanding the changes required regarding the institutional capacity is needed to remove barriers and stimulate transition to sustainable energy systems. The aim of this study was to identify those barriers to understand what type of changes of the institutional capacity is required. Review of publications was done with focus on the three critical domains for clean energy transition – social acceptance, climate and energy policy and critical materials. In result, the most important aspects of the institutional capacity that form the barriers as well as stimulus in the three domains were identified. Causal loop diagram providing a systemic viewpoint on the important elements and interactions within the mentioned three domains is presented. Results of the study can be used for system dynamics model of energy transition.

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Factors Influencing Social Perception of Residential Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Saudi Arabia

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11195259 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (19) ◽

pp. 5259 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Khalid Alrashoud ◽

Koji Tokimatsu

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Solar Energy ◽

Social Acceptance ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Relative Advantage ◽

Small Scale ◽

Photovoltaic Systems ◽

Solar Photovoltaic ◽

Cross Sectional

Saudi Arabia has taken major steps to shift from an oil-centered to more environmentally-focused economy. One approach made recently is to enable households to possess and generate electricity by using small-scale residential solar photovoltaic systems (RSPSs). However, the number of applications to install this technology in residences is significantly low. Social acceptance of solar energy is essential for a successful energy transition. Hence, the present study aims to examine factors that may potentially motivate or impede individuals from purchasing RSPSs based on the diffusion of innovations theory. A cross-sectional, web-based survey is conducted including 1498 participants from the five main regions of Saudi Arabia. Results revealed a good cognition level in relation to solar energy, where the majority (64–83%) of respondents are aware of the benefits. An overwhelming proportion of the respondents (97%) associate RSPSs with a significantly positive image, with no significant variation in the acceptance or rejection rates among the five areas covered by the survey (p = 0.1). The results also show high statistical significance for the differences between RSPS acceptors and rejecters in all innovation attributes (p < 0.001). However, the perception of relative advantage has a higher correlation with acceptance RSPSs. These perceived advantages were of rather long-term nonfinancial benefits, such as environmental protection against global warming and provision of unlimited power, rather than the revenue related to direct costs benefits. The study also revealed that the installation cost was the most significant barrier to adopting the RSPS, which can be a focus for RSPS dissemination policies.

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How Is Social Acceptance Reflected in National Renewable Energy Plans? Evidence from Three Wind-Rich Countries

Energies ◽

10.3390/en14133999 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (13) ◽

pp. 3999

Author(s):

Celine Bout ◽

Jay Sterling Gregg ◽

James Haselip ◽

Geraint Ellis

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Social Acceptance ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Action Plan ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Analytical Framework ◽

Three Dimensions ◽

Framework Analysis ◽

The Uk ◽

Rich Countries

This article contributes to discussions of the social acceptance of renewable energy (RE) by developing an analytical framework that considers three dimensions (community, market, and political-regulator) at three different scales (macro, meso, and micro). This framework is conceived in order to identify those dynamics that are potentially counterproductive to the energy transition and need further policy emphasis, as well as supporting those that demonstrate a positive impact. Using this framework, we critically reflect on the 2010 National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) policies of three European countries with high wind resources: Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. Within the RE policy landscapes of these three countries lies the contentious issue of social acceptance of wind power. The framework analysis reveals similar policy profiles for each country, characterized by a heavy focus on the market dimension at all scales, an effort to allow private business to steer the transition, and a low focus on the community dimension. In doing so, our research reveals how policy-making processes have privileged the voice of actors who are able to communicate quantifiable data and evidence to support their position, and these actors thereby have greater influence to shape national energy policies.

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Multi-criteria Analysis of the Waste Management System in a Metropolitan Area

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/20184400043 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 ◽

pp. 00043 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Agnieszka Generowicz ◽

Krzysztof Gaska ◽

Gabriela Hajduga

Keyword(s):

Waste Management ◽

Management System ◽

Management Strategy ◽

Social Acceptance ◽

Efficiency Index ◽

Social Aspects ◽

Waste Management System ◽

Difficult Decision ◽

Multi Criteria Analysis ◽

Selection Of

Selection of a waste management strategy for a region is a difficult decision that must take into account various frequently contradictory targets and tasks. This article presents the use of a multi-criteria analysis for estimating and selecting the most profitable selection of a regional-metropolitan waste management system. The final solution should take ecological, economic and social aspects into consideration. It was established that the solutions chosen needed to ensure the following: waste stream reduction, social acceptance, and a profitable economic efficiency index.

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Overcoming Language Barriers Through an Interactive Platform for Public Engagement

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2018.v14n2p262 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 262

Author(s):

Mariana Coanca

Keyword(s):

Traffic Management ◽

Linked Data ◽

Social Acceptance ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Crowd Sourcing ◽

European Languages ◽

The Social ◽

Governance Practices ◽

Trend Mining ◽

Different Cultures

The article discusses the framework for a city visioning platform which can offer a public participation in energy-related actions and support the social acceptance of energy transition. The platform has a dual feature: a. the interactivity of the platform is based on crowd-sourcing tools, open linked data approach, trend mining and scenario building tools to address the gaps in urban planning for energy supply, traffic management and governance practices that have been criticized for being exclusive, top-down and short sighted; b. the platform will act as an intercultural & linguistic mediator by offering the opportunity to the community to interact with people from different cultures in all European languages, stimulation of interest and critical thinking, the opportunity to engage in constructive dialogues and projects, capitalizing on the skills and creativity of the participants.

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Willingness to Pay for Renewable Energy – A Concept Centric Review of Literature.

International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development ◽

10.4018/ijsesd.292074 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 0-0

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Willingness To Pay ◽

Electricity Markets ◽

Social Acceptance ◽

Developing Economies ◽

Renewable Energy Sources ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Important Variable ◽

Use Values

Increasing renewable energy footprints now features prominently in the clean energy transition plan for many countries. Consumer’s Willingness To Pay (WTP) for renewable energy is an important variable in this plan. A concept-centric review of 70 research articles conducted in this study reveals that first and most commonly, consumer’s willingness to pay for renewable energy indicates the social acceptance of renewable energy, quantifying the extent of public financial support for meeting nationally set renewable energy targets. Second, it reflects the preferred attributes of renewable electricity supply in deregulated retail electricity markets. And third, it mirrors the non use values of renewable energy sources. A concept augmented matrix presented in the paper helps understand the most popular valuation techniques used to quantify WTP estimates in included studies. This paper concludes by presenting policy enablers to accelerate renewable energy transition in developing economies - where the transition is still in nascent stages.

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Public value tensions for Dutch DSOs in times of energy transition

Competition and Regulation in Network Industries ◽

10.1177/1783591717734807 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (1-2) ◽

pp. 132-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Marga Edens

Keyword(s):

Distribution System ◽

Social Acceptance ◽

Public Support ◽

Energy Transition ◽

Daily Practice ◽

Energy Sector ◽

Public Values ◽

Public Value ◽

The Impact ◽

Current Energy

This article centres around two concepts: public values and regulatory disconnection. It provides a study of the potential tensions Dutch distribution system operators (DSOs) encounter in their role as safeguarders of energy sector public values. The article elaborates how these public values tensions can be traced back to current energy sector legislation not being able to keep up with the energy transition. DSOs have the statutory task of safeguarding public values (understood as ‘properties of utility services’), such as availability, affordability and safety. They are expected to safeguard these public values in such a way that a certain balance between them is maintained. Based on interviews with Dutch sector representatives and an expert panel survey, we show that DSOs do strive for a balance between public values, but that the energy transition makes achieving it more difficult. Three cases were selected where DSOs apparently struggle. We find that the energy sector legislation DSOs have to comply with in these cases does not always account for the impact of the energy transition, thus constituting a regulatory disconnection. The discrepancy between the legislator’s and DSO’s intentions and the DSO’s daily practice would suggest additional research into mechanisms that may facilitate DSOs in conducting a more explicit trade-off, which would produce a public value treatment that is sustainable in terms of social acceptance. This would help secure the energy transition its much needed public support.

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