Stakeholder attitudes to electricity infrastructure

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

SOCIAL SCIENCES (Politics and International Studies)
SOCIAL SCIENCES (Sociology)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour)

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 October 2013

01 April 2020

78 months

£160,000

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

The overarching goal of this proposal is to gain a better understanding of how to structure consultations to fully address stakeholder concerns. The InspireGrid component will develop a methodology to manage the consultation in order to engage the stakeholders in the decision making process and to improve support for development of future grid infrastructure. Based on a multidisciplinary approach, it is proposed to design and develop a European good practice guide led by experts in the field of development of grid infrastructure and environmental and social acceptance issues. The studentship will develop improved understanding of factors that lead stakeholders to respond in the ways they do, and hence will allow network companies to structure their consultations more effectively. The success criteria for this project include: InspireGrid will create a best practice guide relating to an improved understanding of the underlying issues and principles of electric and magnetic fields. The Studentship will publish papers setting out the new insights gained and develop seminars and presentations for relevant staff from Network Licensees.

Public concern about and opposition to new power line proposals is well-recognised and presents an increasing challenge to meeting future energy needs. this issue is highly relevant to all UK network companies given the substantial programme of new lines required to connect new generation. If this problem is not addressed, delays to granting consent or even failure to obtain consent are likely, as well as customer and stakeholder dissatisfaction. Research Social science research based on interviews and case studies, with two components: "InspireGrid", a collaborative EU research programme, and a PhD studentship at Exeter University. InspireGrid has the following specific steps: 1. the analysis of the needs, concerns, wants and expectations of stakeholders and general public2. the development or adaptation of methodologies to assess impacts and benefits3. the development of suitable processes for an effective communication and real participation of the stakeholders and general public4. a series of case studies (taking into account geographical location, size of the infrastructure and stage of completion of the scheme), with a double aim: to give elements to the methodological activities and to allow a proper testing5. a synthesis of the project results and a series of recommendations about the stakeholders and general public engagement6. the dissemination of the project results and output. The studentship has a particular focus on understanding how people’s relationship to the place where they live affects their response to proposed power lines, and on the interplay between local and national factors.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above

14/12/18