Project outline:
The purpose of this collaborative work is to define and describe real cases that most vividly present the relationship between public acceptability of wave energy development and its implementation. While in the United States the decision-making process for developing a new technology is highly dependent on and tightly intertwined with positive public endorsement, in Europe, the decision-making process start from the top. That is, decisions are made at the government level and then presented to the local population. The questions this research aims to answer are:
• Are there any universal public engagement techniques or are they project specific?
• Are there any resemblances with wind energy acceptability?
• What are the lessons learned from the United States and Europe and how can they beneficial to policy makers for wave energy development? What can each country/continent learn from the other? Can we get closer to the elements of the formula for public acceptability?
Two factors best express the need for this research. First, public acceptability of renewable energy projects is very high generally but when it comes down to implementing specific projects acceptability turns to negativity and even hostility. It is important to know why this happens, especially after the literature attests NIMBY is not the mos crucial factor that makes or breaks a project. Second, the wave energy sector is in its infancy and therefore in the moment to learn and to approach the best public engagement strategies in order to avoid making the same mistakes as other renewable energy sectors have made in different countries.
Publications at ICOE2010:
Toward Best Practices for Public Acceptability in Wave Energy: Whom, When and How to Address
Maria Stefanovich1 and Julia Chozas2
1: Oregon State University, USA
2: University of Aalborg, Denmark
Abstract: Wave energy (WE) has the potential to eventually cover more than half of the world’s electricity demand. The WE sector is still nascent; some technologies are approaching commercialization but others are in their infancy. Likewise, public opinion about WE is emerging. Public perception has been identified as a non-critical barrier of WE development provided public opinion is properly handled from the early stages of the sector. The public is now having its first acquaintance with WE, thus, the sooner there is an effective approach, the more opportunities will there be for the sector. Research shows there are different techniques of addressing the public. This paper discusses different approaches as to whom, when and how developers should address by focusing on the experience of several renewable energy projects and the achieved results. The experience proves that early information dissemination to all interested parties via two-way communication methods contributes to achieving public acceptability most effectively.
Toward Best Practices for Public Acceptability in Wave Energy: Issues Developers Need to Address
Maria Stefanovich1 and Julia Chozas2
1: Oregon State University, USA
2: University of Aalborg, Denmark
Abstract: At this initial stage of development, opinion toward wave energy is mainly positive. Interviews with developers, presentations about wave energy at local community meetings, and the literature show that there are four main types of issues developers need to address when discussing their projects with local populations: conflict of use of the ocean space, environmental impact, NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard), and community well-being concerns. The importance of these issues is presented and suggestions for best ways to approach them are provided. Examples and case studies from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean illustrate that despite similarities in the types of issues developers typically address at each site, the way of approaching the issues and the priorities given vary.
- Contact information
- Maria Stefanovich and Julia Fernández Chozas
- Contact email
- icis@inore.org
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