Acceptance of Renewable Energy
The book «Acceptance of Renewable Energy» [in German: Akzeptanz erneuerbarer Energie] aims to identify the determinants of social acceptance of renewable energies from the design of promotional measures to the construction of power plants.
Order the bookThe project
Switzerland pursues ambitious goals in energy policy. The energy turnaround is an important driver for renewable energy projects. Increasing the share of renewable energies in the electricity mix is indispensable for solving the electricity supply problem. The reorientation of Swiss energy policy entails numerous technical and political challenges. In order to achieve change, both the political elite and the population must accept projects and innovative political instruments.
The project «Acceptance of Renewable Energy», which was financed and implemented as part of the Swiss National Science Foundation’s (SNSF) National Research Programme 71 «Managing Energy Consumption» (NRP 71), has taken up the current debate on the achievement of the energy policy goals. It has analysed the opportunities and challenges arising from the expansion of renewable energies as part of the Confederation’s Energy Strategy 2050.
More information on the National Research Programmes NRP 70 and NRP 71 can be found on the NRP Energy portal.
The book
The book «Acceptance of Renewable Energy» [in German: Akzeptanz erneuerbarer Energie] aims to identify the determinants of social acceptance of renewable energies from the design of promotional measures to the construction of power plants. It assumes the viewpoints of the political elite and the population as well as of actors involved in the planning and construction of power plants. It pays special attention to the federal structure of Switzerland and the importance of direct democracy. The book outlines recommendations for optimising the implementation of the Energy Strategy 2050 in the field of renewable energies.
The book’s focus is on the renewable energies small hydropower, wind power, photovoltaics and geothermal energy.
The book is currently only available in German.
Research
The project «Acceptance of Renewable Energy» produced various scientific articles and presentations and extensive data, which you can view below.
DERMONT, Clau, INGOLD, Karin, KAMMERMANN, Lorenz und Isabelle STADELMANN-STEFFEN (2017). „Bringing the policy making perspective in: A political science approach to social acceptance“. Energy Policy, 108, 359-368.
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DERMONT, Clau (2018). „Environmental decision-making: the influence of policy information“. Environmental Politics, 1-24.
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INGOLD, Karin, STADELMANN-STEFFEN, Isabelle und Lorenz KAMMERMANN (2018). „The acceptance of instruments in instrument mix situations: Citizens’ perspective on Swiss energy transition“. Research Policy. Advance online publication.
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KAMMERMANN, Lorenz und Karin INGOLD (2018). „Going beyond technocratic and democratic principles: Stakeholder acceptance of instruments in Swiss energy policy“. Policy Sciences. Advance online publication.
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KAMMERMANN, Lorenz und Clau DERMONT (2018). „How beliefs of the political elite and citizens on climate change influence support for Swiss energy transition policy“. Energy Research & Social Science, 43, 48-60.
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KAMMERMANN, Lorenz (2018). „Factors Driving the Promotion of Hydroelectricity: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis“. Review of Policy Research, 35(2), 213-237.
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STADELMANN-STEFFEN, Isabelle und Clau DERMONT (2018). „The unpopularity of incentive‑based instruments: what improves the cost–benefit ratio?“. Public Choice, 175(1-2), 37-62.
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STADELMANN-STEFFEN, Isabelle (2019). „Bad news is bad news: Information effects and citizens’ socio-political acceptance of new technologies of electricity transmission“. Land Use Policy, 81, 531-545.
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DERMONT, Clau und Isabelle STADELMANN-STEFFEN (2019). „The role of policy and party information in direct-democratic campaigns“. International Journal of Public Opinion Research (forthcoming).
KAMMERMANN, Lorenz und Rahel FREIBURGHAUS (2019). „Konsensdemokratie und die Transformation der schweizerischen Energiepolitik“. dms – der moderne staat – Zeitschrift für Public Policy, Recht und Management, 12(2-2019), 329-346.
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INGOLD, Karin, VARONE, Frédéric, KAMMERER, Marlene, METZ, Florence, KAMMERMANN, Lorenz und Chantal STROTZ (2019). „Are responses to official consultations and stakeholder surveys reliable guides to policy actors’ positions?“ Policy & Politics, online.
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STADELMANN-STEFFEN, Isabelle, RIEDER, Stefan und Chantal STROTZ (2020). „The Politics of Renewable Energy Production in a Federal Context: The Deployment of Small Hydropower in the Swiss Cantons“. The Journal of Environment & Development, 29(1), 75–98.
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DERMONT, Clau und Lorenz KAMMERMANN (2020). „Political Candidates and the Energy Issue: Nuclear Power Position and Electoral Success“. Review of Policy Research, online.
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KAMMERMANN, Lorenz und Mario ANGST (2020). „The Effect of Beliefs on Policy Instrument Preferences: The Case of Swiss Renewable Energy Policy“. Policy Studies Journal, online.
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For a PDF version of the articles, please contact the authors directly. The contact details of the authors can be found here.
STADELMANN-STEFFEN, Isabelle. (6.2017). Parlamentarische Gruppe Erneuerbare Energien 2017, Bern. Die Energiewende im Spannungsfeld zwischen effektiven Lösungen und Akzeptanz.
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STADELMANN-STEFFEN, Isabelle. (3. 2018). AEE SUISSE Kongress 2018, Spreitenbach. Können Argumente und Kampagnen Vertrauen für die erneuerbare Energiepolitik schaffen?
Download PDF – Video (YouTube)
STADELMANN-STEFFEN, Isabelle, INGOLD, Karin, RIEDER, Stefan, DERMONT, Clau, KAMMERMANN, Lorenz und Chantal STROTZ (6.2018). Abschlussworkshop 2018, Luzern.
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The perspective of the population
Which energy sources does the population prefer? As part of a population survey, we surveyed the population’s perception of the future energy mix in Switzerland. Specifically, we asked which technologies should be further developed in order to guarantee Switzerland’s electricity supply in the future. The results for the whole of Switzerland can be accesses with a single click.
Project team
Isabelle Stadelmann-Steffen
Professor for Comparative Politics at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern.
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Karin Ingold
Professor for Policy Analysis and Environmental Governance at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern.
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Stefan Rieder
Managing Director of Interface Politikstudien Forschung Beratung in Lucerne and Permanent Lecturer at the University of Lucerne.
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Clau Dermont
Doctoral candidate and scientific collaborator at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern.
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Lorenz Kammermann
Doctoral candidate and scientific collaborator at the Institute of Political Science at the University of Bern and at EAWAG.
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Order the book
The book «Acceptance of Renewable Energy» [in German: Akzeptanz erneuerbarer Energie] was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the National Research Programme 71 «Managing Energy Consumption» (NRP 71).
To order the book, please fill in the following mandatory fields.
Costs: CHF 28.- (incl. shipping in Switzerland)