A Case study on improving social acceptance of renewable energy

Abstract

Climate change is considered to be one of the greatest threats facing the planet. In fact, many important organizations say it is the greatest threat we face. The international community is compelled to take measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and tackling climate change. Renewable energy is favored as a means of reducing the use of fossil fuels. Concerns about energy security and climate change are enforcing significant changes in how energy and electricity specifically, is generated, transmitted and consumed. Since then, a series of formal and informal policies, directives, legislations, etc. have been developed to encourage use of renewable energy in order to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, to decrease the energy consumption and to increase the energy efficiency. However, these efforts face many challenges both internally and externally The South Korean government is also actively pushing for the expansion of renewable energy. However, it is difficult to expand the supply of renewable energy due to the lack of social acceptability. Although society's overall understanding and support for renewable energy is being strengthened, conflicts and clashes over the location of renewable energy facilities are frequent. The European Union believes improved social acceptance of renewable energy facilities is key to achieving renewable energy targets. As the supply of renewable energy increases, the economic and environmental impact becomes scarce, and stakeholder conflicts and confrontations over renewable energy facilities tend to increase. The profit sharing system can be arranged in three ways. First, public institutions will lead the creation of power plants and residents will secure opportunities to participate in the investment. Second, it is a method in which profits are allocated to members made up of the local people while carrying out power generation projects led by the regional cooperative. Third, through a kind of fund, residents contribute to private projects. If the resident participation business model is refined and advanced to help create social value and create more jobs, it will affect local residents' attitudes toward renewable energy generation facilities and contribute to improving social acceptance of renewable energy in general.