Public acceptance and preferences related to renewable energy and grid expansion policy: Empirical insights for Germany. (1st November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bertsch, Valentin; Hall, Margeret; Weinhardt, Christof; Fichtner, Wolf
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 114(2016)
• Page Start: 465
• Page End: 477
• Publication Date: 2016-11-01
• Subjects: Public acceptance -- Renewable energy -- Grid expansion -- Empirical survey -- Energy policy objectives; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.08.022
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: The rapid expansion of renewable energy sources (RES) in many European countries brings about transmission grid expansion requirements. While the transition towards RES-based energy systems is largely perceived positively in general, locally both RES and grid expansion are often confronted with a lack of public acceptance. Using Germany as a case study, we analyse public acceptance of energy infrastructure and its main drivers on local vs. national levels. For this purpose, we conducted a nationally representative survey. Our results show that, on a national level, the acceptance of RES is very high and there is also a high acceptance of grid expansion if it helps to increase the share of RES in the system. In terms of local acceptance problems that may arise for most considered technologies, concerns about landscape modification turn out to be the main driving factor. Moreover, the distance between places of residence and places of energy infrastructure construction is crucial. While acceptance or rejection of technologies will never be entirely tangible or explicable, we find the explicability of rejections to be lowest for new technologies. Finally, age and education turn out to be the most relevant socio-demographic variables determining the participants' acceptance. Highlights: A survey to understand drivers of energy technology acceptance was conducted. Participants were asked to rank energy policy objectives. Strong differences between acceptance on a national vs. a local level were found. Landscape modification is the most important factor driving the local acceptance. Age and education turned out to be the most relevant socio-demographic factors.