Tell me how you feel about geothermal energy: Affect as a revealing factor of the role of seismic risk on public acceptance
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In: Energy Policy, Vol. 158, 112547, 11.2021.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Tell me how you feel about geothermal energy
T2 - Affect as a revealing factor of the role of seismic risk on public acceptance
AU - Cousse, Julia
AU - Trutnevyte, Evelina
AU - Hahnel, Ulf J.J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s)
PY - 2021/11
Y1 - 2021/11
N2 - Social acceptance of renewables, such as geothermal energy, is a key factor in successfully meeting national energy targets. Siting geothermal energy projects can be challenging because of induced seismicity related to deep geothermal energy, which may reduce public acceptance. This research investigates how informing the public about seismic risk associated with deep geothermal projects influences affect, emotions, attitudes, and the perceived risks and benefits related to both, deep and shallow geothermal projects. Two between-subjects experimental studies were conducted with representative samples of the Swiss population (N1 = 1′018; N2 = 1′007). Results show that information about seismic risk of deep geothermal energy projects significantly influences perceptions of associated projects. Specifically, a spillover effect of seismic risk information on shallow geothermal projects is observed for affect and emotions, as well as for perceived risks and benefits, but not for attitudes. Spillover effects were stronger when information about seismic risk was presented in a negative, emotionally laden manner. For policymakers, the results suggest that the population is open to the use of geothermal energy, but early communication will be key to avoiding a decline in acceptance. This research also highlights the importance of measuring affective factors, in addition to cognitive ones, in acceptance research.
AB - Social acceptance of renewables, such as geothermal energy, is a key factor in successfully meeting national energy targets. Siting geothermal energy projects can be challenging because of induced seismicity related to deep geothermal energy, which may reduce public acceptance. This research investigates how informing the public about seismic risk associated with deep geothermal projects influences affect, emotions, attitudes, and the perceived risks and benefits related to both, deep and shallow geothermal projects. Two between-subjects experimental studies were conducted with representative samples of the Swiss population (N1 = 1′018; N2 = 1′007). Results show that information about seismic risk of deep geothermal energy projects significantly influences perceptions of associated projects. Specifically, a spillover effect of seismic risk information on shallow geothermal projects is observed for affect and emotions, as well as for perceived risks and benefits, but not for attitudes. Spillover effects were stronger when information about seismic risk was presented in a negative, emotionally laden manner. For policymakers, the results suggest that the population is open to the use of geothermal energy, but early communication will be key to avoiding a decline in acceptance. This research also highlights the importance of measuring affective factors, in addition to cognitive ones, in acceptance research.
KW - Acceptance
KW - Affect
KW - Deep geothermal energy
KW - Emotions
KW - Induced seismicity
KW - Shallow geothermal energy
KW - Psychology
KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85114190787&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112547
DO - 10.1016/j.enpol.2021.112547
M3 - Journal articles
AN - SCOPUS:85114190787
VL - 158
JO - Energy Policy
JF - Energy Policy
SN - 0301-4215
M1 - 112547
ER -