TILOS Project Deliverable D8.8 - Report on geographical studies

Stephanides, Phedeas (2019) TILOS Project Deliverable D8.8 - Report on geographical studies. UNSPECIFIED.

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Abstract

Renewable and smart grid technologies promise to transform the Aegean into a “green” archipelago – with members of the internationally acclaimed TILOS-Horizon 2020 project seeking to transfer emerging knowledge beyond the island of Tilos itself. Nonetheless, research on public acceptability of green energy technologies suggests that local community opposition might undermine such ambitious plans. Hence, a crucial starting point for the research presented in this deliverable (D8.8) is the realisation of the timely need for an early stage upstream’ exploration of whether islanders from across the Aegean are likely to accept prospective green energy interventions in order to minimize the problems and maximize the expected results of the anticipated transfers of technology. In this research, we draw on primary data from two questionnaire surveys (involving a representative sample of locals from across the Aegean Archipelago), and from a Deliberative Mapping exercise exploring possible energy futures for the region (involving a number of expert stakeholders and the lay public), to uncover the widespread acceptability of the green energy solutions put forth by the TILOS research consortium – especially in small and very small islands of the Aegean Archipelago. Simultaneously, though, we uncover how broad acceptability does not always translate into actual acceptance of specific proposals, especially when these affect the end-user. For three distinct energy user profiles that are variably supportive of local sustainable energy developments have been identified; namely the Potential Green Prosumers, the Potential Green Consumers, and a non-negligible quarter of locals opposing such developments altogether (i.e. the Opposers). In turn, we argue that these findings should inform future interventions in the region with the ultimate aim of securing public support to “green” the Aegean. Of particular importance is our key conclusion that we can no longer afford to ignore energy publics and their diverse attitudes, values and sensitivities; future interventions in the region should, first and foremost, include locals in decision-making. Islanders need innovative energy technologies, but innovative energy technologies also need islanders and, thus, every effort should be made to empower them when planning for the sustainable energy transition of the region.

Item Type:	Book
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Environmental Sciences
Depositing User:	LivePure Connector
Date Deposited:	22 Jul 2025 14:30
Last Modified:	22 Jul 2025 14:30
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99973
DOI:

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