Tackling grand challenges in wind energy through a socio-technical perspective

Kirkegaard, Julia Kirch; Rudolph, David; Nyborg, Sophie; Solman, Helena; Gill, Elizabeth; Cronin, Tom; Hallisey, Mary

doi:10.1038/s41560-023-01266-z

Cited by 28 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 111 publications

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“…Truly socially sustainable solutions will need to venture beyond decontextualised, instrumental techno-centric assessments of acceptance and outdated not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) concepts (Devine-Wright 2005; Batel and Rudolph, 2021). This ultimately means leaving the instrumental understanding of social acceptance behind that has dominated our thinking for too long (see also Kirkegaard et al, 2023a). Social sciences can offer a much more diverse set of insights into the challenges of wind energy development than providing a remedy for issues of local opposition.…”

Section: The Role Of Social Sciences In Wind Energy Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A number of different challenges have been identified that require social sciences research along the full life cycle of wind energy, including design, planning, development, operation, and end-of-life. In a recent article, Kirkegaard et al (2023a) describe several social grand challenges of wind energy in detail and demonstrate the advantages of integrating social science perspectives along the different life phases of wind energy development. We will in the following discuss and reflect on some grand challenges and the role of social sciences from a different perspective within the context of wind energy research.…”

Section: The Grand Social Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This phenomenon still tends to be simplified and labelled as selfish NIMBY-behaviour. However, Kirkegaard et al (2023a) clarify that local resistance and annoyance has now been rethought as representing responses to disruptions related to place identity, place attachment, spatial-visual perceptions, as well as reactions towards issues of spatial justice (see e.g. Devine-Wright & Howes, 2010;Firestone et al, 2018;Kim & Chung, 2019;Batel & Devine-Wright, 2021).…”

Section: Project Planning and Development And Spatial Relationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Voices are emerging that challenge the prevailing innovation paradigm of 'bigger is better'. Kirkegaard et al (2023a) discuss how increasing the size of wind turbines has been part of the engineering ethos in the wind energy sector since its beginnings in the 1970s, motivated by an economic logic of increasing energy yield, cost reduction, and profit-increase. The authors point out that such research focus seems today somewhat paradoxical or outdated as onshore wind energy has become cost-competitive against fossil fuels (Kirkegaard et al, 2023a;Kirkegaard et al 2021).…”

Section: Wind Turbine Design and Scalabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Grand Challenges in Social Aspects of Wind Energy Development

Kitzing,

Rudolph,

Nyborg

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Abstract. Social aspects are gaining traction in wind energy research. Increasing local opposition to wind energy projects is just one symptom of deeper-rooted challenges in the further expansion of the technology. A recent publication by Kirkegaard et al. (2023a) lays out the grand challenges related to the complex interactions between society and wind energy technology and outlines a research agenda for wind energy research from a socio-technical perspective. This article discusses these challenges in the context of a more technologically focused research audience. We begin by describing the role of social sciences in wind energy research, arguing for the diverse set of insights, research topics, and value that they can add, going beyond outdated concepts of social acceptance (such as NIMBY), and providing solutions for public engagement and planning processes, just ownership structures and value-based design. We discuss social grand challenges in five areas: (1) Project planning & spatial relations, (2) Wind turbine design & scalability, (3) Grid integration, roles & responsibilities, (4) General public perception of the technology, (5) Energy policy to support system transformation. We conclude by reflecting how social sciences and technical sciences can be better integrated to jointly advance wind energy research into a new interdisciplinary era that is able to provide holistic solutions for a transition to carbon-neutrality.

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Section: The Role Of Social Sciences In Wind Energy Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Grand Social Challengesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Project Planning and Development And Spatial Relationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Wind Turbine Design and Scalabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Grand Challenges in Social Aspects of Wind Energy Development

Kitzing,

Rudolph,

Nyborg

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…When wind energy development has progressed, identifying easily accessible wind energy sites (known as 'low-hanging-fruit'-areas, having reduced impacts on natural and human resources) is complicated by resolving regional and municipal spatial trade-offs. Planning authorities may face challenges like NIMBY attitudes ('Not-in-my-backyard') and the complex planning process, which demands thorough investigation and justi cation of areas unsuitable for wind energy [26, [45][46][47][48][49].…”

Section: Background and Challenges In Spatial And Land Use Planningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Coordination challenges in wind energy development: Lessons from cross-case positive planning approaches to avoid multi-level governance ‘free-riding’

Weber

2023

Preprint

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Achieving national renewable energy targets presents multi-level governance challenges, such as uneven progress and discrepancies arising from varying subordinate specifications and incentives on wind energy development. Governments have commenced adopting ‘positive planning’ that aim to integrate energy targets with spatial and land use planning, yet detailed discussions regarding wind energy development remain scarce. This paper assesses three cases in Germany and Sweden within criteria-based explanatory case studies to provide planners and policy makers with knowledge on key factors, lessons learned, and challenges. Positive planning appears to center on a strong energy target focus, limited space, and a balanced approach, shaped by the socio-political context. While Germany more recently embraces positive planning, Sweden started ambitiously on a national level but encounters policy and planning challenges. Planning agencies play an important role in promoting wind energy targets at mid-scale levels; however, legally binding targets matter. Striking a balance between energy targets and addressing land use concerns without disregarding them requires managing a delicate trade-off. Early communication and inter-agency collaboration, as seen in Sweden, might facilitate identifying compromises, navigating trade-off between species protection and renewable energy and offering municipal incentives. Nonetheless, satisfactory spatial trade-offs for long-term proof of concept remains a challenge.

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Polyaniline/Tungsten Trioxide Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Anode for Aqueous Proton Batteries

Tong,

Wei,

Song

et al. 2024

Chemistry A European J

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Aqueous proton batteries have received increasing attention due to their outstanding rate performance, stability and high capacity. However, the selection of anode materials in strongly acidic electrolytes poses a challenge in achieving high‐performance aqueous proton batteries. This study optimized the proton reaction kinetics of layered metal oxide WO3 by introducing interlayer structured water and coating polyaniline on its surface to prepare organic‐inorganic hybrid material (WO3·2H2O@PANI). We constructed an aqueous proton battery with WO3·2H2O@PANI anode and MnO2@GF cathode. After 1500 cycles at a current density of 10 A g‐1, the capacity retention rate can still reach 80.2%. These results can inspire the development of new aqueous proton batteries.

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Tackling grand challenges in wind energy through a socio-technical perspective

Cited by 28 publications

References 111 publications

Grand Challenges in Social Aspects of Wind Energy Development

Grand Challenges in Social Aspects of Wind Energy Development

Coordination challenges in wind energy development: Lessons from cross-case positive planning approaches to avoid multi-level governance ‘free-riding’

Polyaniline/Tungsten Trioxide Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Anode for Aqueous Proton Batteries

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