Energy transition

background

• Energy sector responsible for almost 3/4 of global GHGs

• Some increases in renewable energy and electricity but this is not enough to keep up with global demand

• most renewable energy increases just contribute to an overall increase in energy use, rather than a shift away from FFs

Challenges of energy planning

• Energy planning and development is not only about cost optimisation

• Also about balancing the very complex stream of impact that is has on individuals, communities, ecosystems and more

  • Impacts can be both beneficial and harmful

• Policy and decision makers rely to some extent on mathematical models

• Criticisms for only having a techno-econ focus

• Model results diverge from both reality and how people envision the future

• Policy-makers have to choose something when nearly every option has some sort of negative impact

Varying support/opinions on energy infrastructure

Kallbekken et al

Support for energy infrastructure varies by technology

• Solar panels on building most popular

  

• wind power least supported - nature loss, negative personal experiences, high land use etc

  • many think more expensive than it is - actually cheapest

• hydropower strong support - jobs and price stability override nature loss

• nuclear supported but uncertain - need more info and transparency

• Policy makers need to develop strategies to mitigate negative impacts so they can use cheaper tech without backlash

  • e.g. internalising negative externalities from power generation e.g. pricing mechanisms or regulations

  • Improved communication and knowledge dissemination

• Incorporating public's preferred portfolio into energy system model results in cost increase of 47% and price variability - trade-offs of aligning policy with public preferences

opinions of Swiss young people

• No studies have included the preferences of the young gen even though they will bear most consequences

• Before info - preference to solar PV, wind power, electricity savings and hydropower

  • Waste incineration and nuclear more negative

  • Rather cliché view

• Drop in positive feelings towards solar - 82% down to 52% after info - most feeling neutral not negative

  • 38% increase for waste incineration

  • Nuclear and energy imports most negative both pre and post

• Quite different results to adults - youth need more input

• Need more enviro education in schools

Our results

Hydropower: Somewhat polarised, where many of you either wants to use its maximum or minimum potential.

Nuclear: More balanced with the median slightly below its maximum potential, but also extremes at both ends.

PV: Relative agreement with high contributions.

Wind: Agreement with offshore wind, but variations for onshore wind.