Challenges with public acceptance have been reported to delay renewable energy projects. In that context, ensuring support for energy infrastructures is key to ensuring the energy transition can be realised in time and fairly. But, how can engagement activities be created in a meaningful way?
With this problem in mind, the UsersTCP’s Public Engagement for Energy Infrastructure Task researched how public engagement can leverage different voices during the development of energy infrastructure in a fair way. As a result, the Engage4Energy guideline was published to support promoters, policymakers and civil society in their decisions within the context of grid, wind and solar energy infrastructure projects.
Sharing the insights from the year-long research on meaningful public engagement, the Engage4Energy team, represented by Dr Diana Süsser (IEECP) and Dr Ira Shefer and Nathália Pimentel (RGI), presented at EnR and UsersTCP Workshop on 21 June 2024.
Co-organised by the European Energy Network (EnR) and UsersTCP, the workshop built on the findings, highlights and lessons learned from the Behave 2023 conference, and also drew on the work of the Users TCP and the EnR member agencies.
The main objective was to share insights from the research community with policymakers and practitioners while facilitating knowledge exchange between stakeholders through sharing experiences and good practice examples. At the same time, the workshop aimed at facilitating dialogue on how to apply the knowledge and expertise and put it into practice.
During this workshop, the audience explored:
- How we can shift towards a more sustainable energy system in a way that is fair, equitable, and inclusive for all, especially those considered vulnerable to the impacts of the energy transition;
- Behaviour change implications for the scaling-up of demand flexibility, where consumers flexibly adapt their energy usage in response to the needs of the grid;
- Approaches and techniques used to encourage the public acceptance of new technologies, both large-scale energy infrastructure and household-level technologies;
- Showcasing the practical guide on-demand flexibility by The Behaviouralist;
- Case studies showcasing successful behaviour change initiatives from User TCP projects and members of the European Energy Network;
- Networking opportunities with professionals working on behaviour change initiatives.
The workshop, hosted in Lisbon and online, was designed for energy agency professionals, policymakers, policy implementers, social scientists, researchers and energy practitioners.
See here the full programme of the day
Access here the presentation of the the PEEI task.
