000			04741nam a2200325 a 4500
003			IE-CoMTU
005			20221212124432.0
008			2016
082	0	4	_aTHESES PRESS
100	1		_aO'Brien, Paul, _eauthor. _928598
245	1	0	_aSocial acceptance of renewable energy : _bexploring a citizen centric paradigm / _cPaul O'Brien.
264		1	_aCork : _bCork Institute of Technology, _c2016.
300			_axi, 234 pages : _billustrations (some color) graphs, tables ; _c30 cm
336			_atext _btxt _2rdacontent
337			_aunmediated _bn _2rdamedia
338			_avolume _bnc _2rdacarrier
490	0		_aMBS - Adult and Continuing Education
502			_aThesis (MBS) - Cork Institute of Technology, 2016.
502			_aThesis (M.Bus) - Cork Institute of Technology, 2016.
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references.
520			_a"The energy landscape in Ireland is being transformed. Energy policy is geared towards substantially decarbonising the electricity system by 2050. The implementation of large scale renewable energy generation remains a key policy objective. The scale of the transformation presents challenges in terms of policy and technology, as well as social acceptance. This study was conducted to explore social acceptance of renewable energy within the context of a broader energy transition. A concurrent mixed method design integrates three distinct strands of primary research. A series of semi-structured interviews with multicisciplinary energy professionals explored contemporary social issues, from a developer, utility and community perspective. Quantitative research included a bespoke online survey, with data obtained from 455 participants. The survey examined participant's attitudes, opinions and behaviours related to climate change, renewable energy and citizen engagement. Furthermore, social media research guaged public discourse through the lens of the microblogging platform Twitter®. This comprehensive three-pronged study provides a plethora of new primary findings for consideration. Quantitative findings reveal overwhelming support for all renewable energy technologies considered in the study, with over 75% of participants agreeing with the notion of hosting a renewable energy development in their community. Furthermore, 52% of participants would be interested in investing in largescale renewable energy. In contrast, qualitative findings confirm an escalation in social opposition at the community level. Community based opposition groups appear to be effectively leveraging social media to escalate local concerns and are prominent contributors to renewable energy discourse on the social media platform Twitter®. This study reiterates a familiar dichotomy; public acceptance of renewable energy at a sociopolitical level contrasts with social opposition in a local context. This study has found, while participants are broadly supportive of renewable energy, they appear disinterested and not at all engaged in energy and climate change matters. There is little evidence, however, of a coordinated, sustained and strategic initiative by government or industry to engage citizens and inform public discourse in Ireland. Encouragingly, interviews with industry leaders found a strong appetite for increased stakeholders collaboration and quantitative research reveals an acceptance by participants that, as citizens, we all have a greater role to play in finding climate change. A new finding emerging from this study reveals that having microscale renewable energy in the home correlates favourably with the survey participant's acceptance of large scale renewable energy development. Based on empirical data, a number of specific initiatives have been recommended. A strategic action plan, based on cross-industry collaboration has been developed to leverage the findings in this study. The recommendations focus on engaging citizens to the positive benefits of renewable energy at a domestic level, with a view to furthering social acceptance of large scale renewable energy. These recommendations introduce the novel Empowered 'Energy Citizen' Framework. This model, which is based on empirical data, proposes a set of core values and behaviours designed to embed the concept of the 'energy citizen' within society, embracing a citizen centric paradigm". - (Author's abstract)
650		0	_aRenewable energy sources _zIreland.
650		0	_aClimatic changes. _935393
650		0	_aPolitical participation. _941225
650		0	_aSocial acceptance. _9119438
650		0	_aAttitude (Psychology) _934336
907			_a.b11213899 _b161101 _c161101
942			_n0 _2ddc
998			_ac _b161101 _cm _da _e- _feng _gie _h0
999			_c106649 _d106649