scholarly journals Attitudes of Communities in Rural Areas towards the Development of Wind Energy

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (23) ◽  
pp. 8052
Author(s):  
Mirosława Witkowska-Dabrowska ◽  
Natalia Świdyńska ◽  
Agnieszka Napiórkowska-Baryła

The objective of the study was to demonstrate attitudes towards wind energy facilities in the area of the Korsze Commune. The results of the study were processed using structure indices calculated from the respondents’ answers, which were analyzed in terms of social and economic factors. The study revealed that both the NIMBY syndrome and the lack of civic engagement influence attitudes towards renewable energy technologies in rural areas. The NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) term describes negative public attitudes towards proposed development projects. However, some trends towards more pronounced attitudes can be observed, depending on socioeconomic conditions. The research results imply that the measures taken to promote renewable energy technologies should be designed differently depending on the socioeconomic situation of the targeted audience. Young people might be reached via social media appropriate to their age, and through campaigns promoting local investments. For older people, traditional ways of communication can be used, but the information transmitted should include specific benefits for the whole society as well as for individual households. The conducted research revealed that, despite the fact that many authors deny the occurrence of NIMBY syndrome in relation to the wind energy, the NIMBY problem has occurred in the Korsze Commune. The biggest challenge in the survey was the unwillingness of the residents to participate in it, which only confirms the lack of social involvement.

Author(s):  
Mohammad Hamed Patmal ◽  
Habiburrahman Shiran

This research investigates the factors that potentially affect public attitudes and their adoption of renewable energy technologies for electrical energy production in Afghanistan. The study is carried out with a survey from Kabul and its neighboring provinces including Logar, Maidan Wardak, Nangarhar, Ghazni, Parwan & Kapisa provinces. We used a random sampling process to collect data using a web-based questionnaire. The survey was well designed to highlight conveniently the public understanding, willingness, and attitudes toward adopting renewable energy technologies (RETs). The outcome of the survey is then evaluated to discover the most potential factor affecting public acceptance of RETs. The results declared that the educational level, expertise in RETs, and income of respondents are positively related, while the age of respondents is negatively related to the public willingness on the use and investment in RETs. The majority of respondents have used one type of RETs, however, 23 % of respondents have not used any type of RETs. Study shows that the RETs use and access to grid electricity are reversely related, where the access is lower, the RETs use is higher and vice versa. Most of the respondents were not well informed and most disagreed with the government policies on RETs, therefore, public awareness programs on RETs and government policies are recommended. The majority of respondents were willing to invest in RETs, therefore, the government should commit itself and support private sectors to invest in RETs and take part in its development.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
L. Castro-Santos ◽  
◽  
A. Filgueira-Vizoso ◽  

The objective of this paper is to examine the importance of independent arrays in the offshore renewable energy farms. In this context, several scenarios have been contemplated for a floating offshore renewable energy farm: a farm only using floating wave energy; a farm only using floating offshore wind energy; and a farm composed by floating wave energy and floating offshore wind energy installed in independent arrays. The article proposes a method to calculate the main economic parameters and decide their economic feasibility. A hypothetic offshore renewable energy farm located in the Galicia region (Spain) has been studied as case of study. Results show which of the scenarios has the best economic results. This method is worthwhile to compare different floating offshore renewable energy technologies in economic terms and help in the decision making of this new emerging sector that can help to rebuild Europe in the post-pandemic period.


Author(s):  
John Vourdoubas

Use of renewable energies in rural areas in the island of Crete, Greece has been investigated. Crete has rich indigenous renewable energy resources which are currently utilized for covering part of its energy requirements. Various renewable energy technologies used for heat and electricity generation in the island have been examined. Solar energy, wind energy, hydro power, biomass, and low enthalpy geothermal energy are already used. The total installed electric power of renewable energies in Crete, located mostly in rural areas, is approximately at 30% of the total electric power installed. They currently generate more than 20% of the island’s annual electricity needs. More renewable energy applications are foreseen in the future in rural areas in Crete as soon as its electric grid will be interconnected with the country’s continental grid. New renewable energy technologies, which are not currently used, could generate in the future heat, cooling, electricity, and vehicle’s fuels in the island. Their use will have positive impacts including the promotion of energy investments, lower use of imported and polluting fossil fuels, de-carbonization of the island’s energy sector as well as creation of new local jobs. It is indicated that the rich renewable energy resources in Crete could provide almost all of its annual energy needs. This will result in Crete’s transformation to a low or zero carbon economy in accordance with EU targets for zero carbon emissions in the next decades complying with the global goal for climate change mitigation.


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