Social Acceptance of Renewable Energies and Electric Mobility
Type
doctoral thesis
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
The COP 21 in Paris at international level and the Energy Strategy 2050 at national level have defined the framework for making our energy system more sustainable. However, implementation at the local level is proving difficult. Despite high levels of general acceptance of renewable energy and electric mobility, its uptake is slow. The literature has conceptualized this contradiction between a high level of general acceptance and the difficult implementation at the local level, by using the term social acceptance. Researchers agree that a better understanding of the social acceptance of renewable energy and electric mobility is crucial for increasing uptake and, thus, achieving our climate targets.
With this dissertation, I seek to contribute to a better understanding and management of different elements of social acceptance of wind and solar energy, as well as electric mobility. I present recommendations for more successful project development and suggest policy implications that advocate for the deeper integration of social-acceptance issues in policy. I also examine specific challenges related to the respective technologies, as follows.
In the first paper, we examine local preferences for different financial-participation models and their impact on the social acceptance of wind-energy projects. The results of the experimental study show that the introduction of a financial-participation model can increase the social acceptance of such projects, with the collective “wind resource tax” model being the preferred option.
In the second paper, we analyze the social acceptance of utility-scale solar PV projects in alpine regions. The expansion of such projects has untapped potential to help meet electricity demand in the winter half-year. The results of our choice experiment identify a design that minimizes visual impact, includes local ownership, and has a low level of impact on the local flora and fauna, crucial to increasing the social acceptance of a project.
In the third paper, I investigate the social acceptance of electric mobility in corporate fleets. In a field experiment with car pool users, I test the effect of personal experience with electric vehicles on their acceptance, as well as the adoption of electric mobility. The results show that more personal experience can lead to an increase in purchase intention and higher acceptance levels and for several EV-related elements.
With this dissertation, I seek to contribute to a better understanding and management of different elements of social acceptance of wind and solar energy, as well as electric mobility. I present recommendations for more successful project development and suggest policy implications that advocate for the deeper integration of social-acceptance issues in policy. I also examine specific challenges related to the respective technologies, as follows.
In the first paper, we examine local preferences for different financial-participation models and their impact on the social acceptance of wind-energy projects. The results of the experimental study show that the introduction of a financial-participation model can increase the social acceptance of such projects, with the collective “wind resource tax” model being the preferred option.
In the second paper, we analyze the social acceptance of utility-scale solar PV projects in alpine regions. The expansion of such projects has untapped potential to help meet electricity demand in the winter half-year. The results of our choice experiment identify a design that minimizes visual impact, includes local ownership, and has a low level of impact on the local flora and fauna, crucial to increasing the social acceptance of a project.
In the third paper, I investigate the social acceptance of electric mobility in corporate fleets. In a field experiment with car pool users, I test the effect of personal experience with electric vehicles on their acceptance, as well as the adoption of electric mobility. The results show that more personal experience can lead to an increase in purchase intention and higher acceptance levels and for several EV-related elements.
Abstract (De)
The COP 21 in Paris at international level and the Energy Strategy 2050 at national level have defined the framework for making our energy system more sustainable. However, implementation at the local level is proving difficult. Despite high levels of general acceptance of renewable energy and electric mobility, its uptake is slow. The literature has conceptualized this contradiction between a high level of general acceptance and the difficult implementation at the local level, by using the term social acceptance. Researchers agree that a better understanding of the social acceptance of renewable energy and electric mobility is crucial for increasing uptake and, thus, achieving our climate targets.
With this dissertation, I seek to contribute to a better understanding and management of different elements of social acceptance of wind and solar energy, as well as electric mobility. I present recommendations for more successful project development and suggest policy implications that advocate for the deeper integration of social-acceptance issues in policy. I also examine specific challenges related to the respective technologies, as follows.
In the first paper, we examine local preferences for different financial-participation models and their impact on the social acceptance of wind-energy projects. The results of the experimental study show that the introduction of a financial-participation model can increase the social acceptance of such projects, with the collective “wind resource tax” model being the preferred option.
In the second paper, we analyze the social acceptance of utility-scale solar PV projects in alpine regions. The expansion of such projects has untapped potential to help meet electricity demand in the winter half-year. The results of our choice experiment identify a design that minimizes visual impact, includes local ownership, and has a low level of impact on the local flora and fauna, crucial to increasing the social acceptance of a project.
In the third paper, I investigate the social acceptance of electric mobility in corporate fleets. In a field experiment with car pool users, I test the effect of personal experience with electric vehicles on their acceptance, as well as the adoption of electric mobility. The results show that more personal experience can lead to an increase in purchase intention and higher acceptance levels and for several EV-related elements.
With this dissertation, I seek to contribute to a better understanding and management of different elements of social acceptance of wind and solar energy, as well as electric mobility. I present recommendations for more successful project development and suggest policy implications that advocate for the deeper integration of social-acceptance issues in policy. I also examine specific challenges related to the respective technologies, as follows.
In the first paper, we examine local preferences for different financial-participation models and their impact on the social acceptance of wind-energy projects. The results of the experimental study show that the introduction of a financial-participation model can increase the social acceptance of such projects, with the collective “wind resource tax” model being the preferred option.
In the second paper, we analyze the social acceptance of utility-scale solar PV projects in alpine regions. The expansion of such projects has untapped potential to help meet electricity demand in the winter half-year. The results of our choice experiment identify a design that minimizes visual impact, includes local ownership, and has a low level of impact on the local flora and fauna, crucial to increasing the social acceptance of a project.
In the third paper, I investigate the social acceptance of electric mobility in corporate fleets. In a field experiment with car pool users, I test the effect of personal experience with electric vehicles on their acceptance, as well as the adoption of electric mobility. The results show that more personal experience can lead to an increase in purchase intention and higher acceptance levels and for several EV-related elements.
Language
English
Keywords
Erneuerbare Energien
Elektromobilität
EDIS-5082
Akzeptanz
HSG Classification
not classified
HSG Profile Area
None
Publisher
Universität St. Gallen
Publisher place
St.Gallen
Official URL
Subject(s)
Division(s)
Eprints ID
262398
File(s)![Thumbnail Image]()
Name
Dis5082.pdf
Size
2.83 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
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