Journal article
Iain Soutar, Patrick Devine-Wright, Hannah Devine-Wright, Chad Walker, Charlie Wilson, Rajat Gupta, Jillian Anable
Energy Research and Social Science, vol. 116, 2024
Energy Research and Social Science, vol. 116, 2024
View PDF
Cite
Cite
APA
Click to copy
Soutar, I., Devine-Wright, P., Devine-Wright, H., Walker, C., Wilson, C., Gupta, R., & Anable, J. (2024). Clear support for an unclear concept? Public attitudes towards local energy systems in the United Kingdom. Energy Research and Social Science, 116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2024.103658
Chicago/Turabian
Click to copy
Soutar, Iain, Patrick Devine-Wright, Hannah Devine-Wright, Chad Walker, Charlie Wilson, Rajat Gupta, and Jillian Anable. “Clear Support for an Unclear Concept? Public Attitudes towards Local Energy Systems in the United Kingdom.” Energy Research and Social Science 116 (2024).
MLA
Click to copy
Soutar, Iain, et al. “Clear Support for an Unclear Concept? Public Attitudes towards Local Energy Systems in the United Kingdom.” Energy Research and Social Science, vol. 116, 2024, doi:10.1016/j.erss.2024.103658.
BibTeX Click to copy
@article{iain2024a,
title = {Clear support for an unclear concept? Public attitudes towards local energy systems in the United Kingdom},
year = {2024},
journal = {Energy Research and Social Science},
volume = {116},
doi = {10.1016/j.erss.2024.103658},
author = {Soutar, Iain and Devine-Wright, Patrick and Devine-Wright, Hannah and Walker, Chad and Wilson, Charlie and Gupta, Rajat and Anable, Jillian}
}
Abstract
Decentralisation offers one route to energy system decarbonisation, and local energy systems (LES) provide focal points for decentralisation. LES involve the integration of different generation, storage, and demand-side technologies across heat, power, and transport systems, within defined localities. Public support is necessary for LES deployment at pace and scale, but while past research has examined public attitudes towards individual technologies, few studies have investigated perceptions of systemic shifts towards LES. This paper presents findings from a nationally representative UK survey (n = 3034) on LES. We compare two ways of exploring perceptions of decentralised energy: as a broad systemic shift, and as the cumulative deployment of multiple LES innovations. Results show high levels of public support for a systemic shift towards decentralisation, but more moderate levels of support for specific LES innovations. Regression analysis highlight the role of personal characteristics, climate concern, political beliefs, and engagement with technologies in influencing support for LES. Support is more predictable for decentralisation, whose meaning is clear in principle while containing ambiguities in practice. Support for LES innovations is less predictable and is explained by the diversity with which households interpret the multiple propositions afforded by LES innovations. For LES to benefit from majority public support for a systemic shift, policy and industry actors need to better understand the diverse set of perceptions and values that LES hold for the public and seek broader and deeper engagement with the public around specific LES innovations, as well as around systemic change more broadly.
Decentralisation offers one route to energy system decarbonisation, and local energy systems (LES) provide focal points for decentralisation. LES involve the integration of different generation, storage, and demand-side technologies across heat, power, and transport systems, within defined localities. Public support is necessary for LES deployment at pace and scale, but while past research has examined public attitudes towards individual technologies, few studies have investigated perceptions of systemic shifts towards LES. This paper presents findings from a nationally representative UK survey (n = 3034) on LES. We compare two ways of exploring perceptions of decentralised energy: as a broad systemic shift, and as the cumulative deployment of multiple LES innovations. Results show high levels of public support for a systemic shift towards decentralisation, but more moderate levels of support for specific LES innovations. Regression analysis highlight the role of personal characteristics, climate concern, political beliefs, and engagement with technologies in influencing support for LES. Support is more predictable for decentralisation, whose meaning is clear in principle while containing ambiguities in practice. Support for LES innovations is less predictable and is explained by the diversity with which households interpret the multiple propositions afforded by LES innovations. For LES to benefit from majority public support for a systemic shift, policy and industry actors need to better understand the diverse set of perceptions and values that LES hold for the public and seek broader and deeper engagement with the public around specific LES innovations, as well as around systemic change more broadly.
