NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS Laboratory of Thermal Turbomachines Increasing policy...

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENSLaboratory of Thermal

Turbomachines

Increasing policy makers’ awareness and

public acceptance

Dr. Karytsas Constantine

Centre for Renewable Energy Sources

K.C. Giannakoglou, Lab. Thermal Turbomachines, NTUA, Greece 2

• Geothermal energy is a versatile renewable energy source that is among the cleanest of the commercially viable technologies available today.

• However there has not been the predictable development in this field as it is for most other “alternative” energy sources.

• An important reason is that many geothermal projects face strong opposition from politicians, neighbouring communities or environmental pressure groups. This is why there is a global tendency for geothermal companies to develop their policy and their social responsibility.

• The goal of the geothermal community is to make policy makers’ aware of the need of a strategy by examining the policy that should be followed in order to eliminate any social opposition, analyzing the reasons for the generally weak social acceptance, and identifying possible solutions for changing the situation.

Increasing policy makers’ awareness and public acceptance


Reasons for weak social acceptance of geothermal projects

1. The initial phase of project development

2. The environmental impact

3. The public acceptance

4. The political acceptance

The main aspects that affect the success of the geothermal projects and should be taken into account during the process of geothermal energy development in a specific environment are :


The initial phase of project development

The initial phases of development of a geothermal project often includes test drillings

with dirty, noisy equipment and without contact with, or involvement of the local people.

After the initial completion of a geothermal system, local people and politicians have, in front of their eyes, a system of irregularly located boreholes, pipelines passing through properties in a “strange” way. Therefore, in the initial phase of development, benefits are not obvious, and appear to be outweighed by negative changes to the surroundings.It was found that many elements of the complex nature of geothermal energy can be

the reason for weak public support in some areas. A lot of work is necessary to change the resistance by spreading honest information in an understandable way, accommodated to the culture and cultural level in question.


The environmental impact

When news spreads about the possibility of having a geothermal project initiated in a given area, many residents eulogize natural heat. Individual and collective attitudes towards geothermal development usually change with time as the project reaches the drilling stage, and work begins for plant construction.

Reaction often grows against landscape modifications and alteration of natural features of cultural or religious interest, caused by civil and industrial works and by changes in the use of public areas resulting from project activities.

The elements of the environmental impact can contribute positively if the focus will be on :

1. the quality of the organizational approach of project development, 2. the quality of project design, 3. the organization of work during construction and completion, 4. the quality of the operations.


Social Acceptance

• Social acceptability is one of the most important parts of the process of geothermal energy development in a specific environment and should be taken into account. • In order to attain social acceptability, the project activities should not result in drastic changes from the regular conditions of the area, and the affected sectors should be able to see some advantages issuing from the project.

•Social acceptability is the condition upon which the technical and economic objectives

of the project may be pursued in due time and with the consensus of the local communities (in the respect of the people's health, welfare, and culture).

•It is not possible to complete a successful project if initially not identifying the elements of the local environment, which can influence its social acceptance and not designing honest organizational, technical, economic, and other solutions in order to prevent the development of negative opinions.


Measures that have been successfully applied

1. Enforcing legislation separating geothermal resources from the mining code Geothermal regulation should be also taken into account. The present lack of regulation for geothermal energy

exploitation over most of the EU is inhibiting the effective exploitation of this underutilized resource. The process

is planned to outline and encourage investment in geothermal energy by private and public sector partnerships.

2. Demonstration of very small scale geothermal pilot power plants (a few kWe)

3. Providing strong incentives to investors

4. Communicating positive impact of geothermal development through independent

experts

5. Educating local society and company staff Education programs can be really helpful in order to make geothermal energy more friendly and accepted by

children and their communities in general. Educative materials can be prepared for students and professors with

suitable style.

6. Communication best practices by inviting local journalists to foreign geothermal

power plants


A Successful case

Geothermal Projects in El Salvador BASELINE STUDIES

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

QUALITY AIR, WATER, AND SOIL MONITORING PROGRAMME


Milos and Nisyros are islands rich in geothermal potential.

Several geothermal fields of high and low enthalpy are allocated in these islands.

In Milos, the first attempt for the exploitation of the island’s geothermal potential became during 1980’s, aiming at the manufacturing and operation of a pilot unit of 2 MW power production.

Series of episodes and accidents with environmental impacts as well as erroneous energies, led the local society to shape completely negative position and imposed the pause of the station’s operation .

In Nisyros island, the geothermal researches began in 1973 as part of a geothermal project of the Institute of Geological and Mineral Exploration and for the power production. In 1982 and in 1983 the geothermal potential of the island was explored from the Public Power Corporation (They drilled two wells from an Hungarian company “NIREX” in 1983 with financing of EC).

The experience from the test drillings in the island of Nisyros, as well as the relative problems in Milos, led the residents of Nisyros, to express their opposition in every thought of exploitation of this potential, with referendum that was held in 1997.

These facts, influenced in total the sector of geothermics in Greece in combination with the entire lack of relative legislative framework.

Milos and Nicyros case


4,40% 10,80%

18,00%

23,20%14,40%

13,20%

16,00%

14-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 >70

Age

The chosen sample from Milos was 250 units and was representative of the population characteristics in every region, like

Milos

Education

7,20%

28,40%

8,00%

31,20%

12,00%

3,20%

10,00%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Without education Primary school graduate

High school graduate College graduate

Trade school graduate Technological educational Institute graduate

University degree

Occupation

6,80%

17,60%

22,40%

2,00%

15,20%

4,40%

28,80%

2,80%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

Public servant Private servant Businessman Farmer

Pensioner Student Housewife Unemployed

Identity of the survey


Α. Knowledge of local society about geothermal energy

Local society knows about geothermal energy.

Nisyros

94,44%

5,56%

Yes I do No I don’t

Milos

86,80%

13,20%

Yes I do No I don’t

Survey results - Comments - Conclusions


Percentage higher than 75% answered that it is “energy from the ground” or “steam” and is presented in young and medium ages.

Those who used the term of “wells”, it appears that they know, at least, part of technological side of the subject.

Α. Knowledge of local society about geothermal energy

Relatively similar stance by the proportional age-related teams.

In Nisyros island, the sense of the connection of geothermics with volcanic action is, logically, much more intense.

Milos

56,68%21,66%

10,14%

8,29% 3,23%

Energy from the ground Steam Wells Environment Other Nisyros

54,12%

14,12%

23,53%

8,24%

Energy from the ground Renewable source of energy Volcano Steam

Survey results - Annotation - Conclusions


Β. Sources of knowledge

The main source of information and knowledge of the people is personal experience.

Particularly small the role of school.

The media don’t seem to provide any useful information at all. It is associated with the non-existence of policy but also interest for interventionist action from the side of State in the sector of informing.

Nisyros

9,4%

71,8%

18,8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Television Newspapersor magazines

Friends Other I have seen it

Milos

1,38% 0,92%

79,26%

9,68%8,76%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Television Newspapersor magazines

Friends Other I have seen it



C. Geothermal energy and environment

Geothermal energy = Pollutant activity?

The overwhelming majority answers positively.

The younger ages present higher scepticism.

Milos

82,49%

17,51%

Yes its affect No it is not affect

The majority answers positively.

The younger ages (<30 years old) are positively encountered in their total, about environmental impacts.

Nisyros

68,24%

31,76%




C. Geothermal energy and environment

Geothermal energy – Environment and Tourism Compatible actions?

It is not certifies a rousing environmental sensitivity and therefore the views that present negative confrontal against geothermal energy due to the tourism development of the island don’t seem to be substantiated.

More intense environmental

sensitivity for people that the tourism

business is their main occupation.

Μilos

77,42%

22,58%

84,52%

15,48%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

Tourism business No tourism business


Nisyros

60%40%

72,73%

27,27%

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

Tourism business No tourism business




D. Environmental impacts of geothermal energy

The placement of local societies is explicit as for the problem of air pollution (Μ=46%, Ν=58%).

Follows the ground/water pollution (Μ=40%, Ν=36%).

With great difference follows the marine pollution (Μ=12%, Ν=6%).

Nisyros

6,1%

57,6%

36,4%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Air pollution Ground/waterpollution

Marine pollution Noise Visual impact Other

Milos

39,53%

12,30%

1,05% 0,52% 0,52%

46,07%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

50%

Air pollution Ground/w aterpollution

Marine pollution Noise Visual impact Other



Ε. Classification of environmental impacts

It absolutely dominates in young ages (<30). It is appreciated that despite the fact that the senior ages today have past experience, it appears to be also transported in the younger generations with proportional intensity.

Proportional and in particular in more intense expression the placement of residents of Nisyros island.

Only senior ages (>70) and especially women, indicate the marine pollution as more harmful for the environment.

Milos

81,01%

13,97%5,03%

Air pollution Ground/water pollution Marine pollution

Nisyros

98,28%

1,72%

Air pollution Ground/water pollution Marine pollution



F. Effect of geothermal energy and its gravity, in the existing economic activities

Tourism seems to be affected less despite the fact that the air pollution is counted as the most important problem in the environment.

Contradictory placement, if it is combined with the answers on the environmental impacts and their classification

MilosNisyros

33,64% 41,94%40,55%

34,56%

43,78%

54,38%

31,80%

14,29%5,07%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Agriculture Tourism Fishery

Positive Negative Not at all

43,5%

51,8%

43,5%

56,5%

48,2%

56,5%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Agriculture Tourism Fishery

Positive Negative Not at all



G. Correspondence in new activities

Main Choices

1. Power production Senior ages (> 50 years old) Potable water

2. Desalination Young ages Wider range of choices

Better knowledge

Milos

?

39,60%

51,60%

57,20%

22,40%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Not classify

Classification

Potable w ater District heating Greenhouses heating

Bathing Fish farming Drying of agricultural products

Pow er production




Single Choices

1. Power production Complete ignorance of other

possible applications and uses of geothermal energy 2. Desalination

?

Nisyros

56,67%65,56%

17,78%

36,67%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%


Classification

Potable water District heating Greenhouses heating

Bathing Fish farming Drying of agricultural products

Power production




Is the choice of activities related to the object of employment of public?

The farmers, overwhelmingly, scorn uses that are related with their interests (drying of agricultural products – greenhouses heating).

Milos

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1st 2nd 3rd Not classify

Classification

Potable w ater District heating

Greenhouses heating Bathing

Fish farming Drying of agricultural products

Pow er production

Those who are dealing with the tourism are unable to associate applications, as the air conditioning or the spa therapy, with their enterprising interests.

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Classif ication

Potable w ater District heating



Pow er production




Is the choice of activities related to the object of employment of public?

Proportional placement of those dealing with the tourism. Complete disdain, of applications that can contribute to the development of tourism and in the extension of “tourist” period for the island.

Nisyros0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%


Potable water District heating



Power production




The great part of population which is positive, does not wish initiatives to be undertaken from the same institution that is connected with relative past actions in the island.

Positive correspondence in new applications Pollutant activity

Almost levelled views.

Milos

72,80%

27,20%

Yes, I am in favour of No, I am not in favour of

Nisyros

51,11%

48,89%


Survey results - Annotation – Conclusions



All group ages express themselves positively for the undertaking of initiatives aiming at the geothermal developement in the island, in percentage greater than 70%. This positive placement is blunted in medium and senior ages.

Milos

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

14-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 >70


Nisyros

The Nisyros public is presented more divided.

The productive ages are rather negative, the group age of 20-30 years old is vertically negative placed.0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

14-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 >70





1. The consequences on people’s health and onto the environment.

2. The weakness of right implementation of the project.

A major part of the public in both islands believes that the project will not be properly constructed. This view depicts the lack of trust towards the state authority and its representatives, as well as towards the ways of supervision and control of the project.

A part of local society of Nisyros is placed with the simple answer….we do not want it…

More important reasons of negative attitude

Milos

Nisyros

35,29%

35,29%

16,18%

13,24%

Condequences onto the environment Condequences on people's health

Its not going to be done right Other

56,82%

13,64%

22,73%

6,82%

Condequences on people's health and onto the environment

We don’t w ant it

Its not going to be done right

Other



The majority of Milos and Nisyros population is aware of the exact objective of geothermal energy. The main source of information and knowledge of people is their personal experience. The information by Media and school is practically non-existent.

Main sources of environmental burden are considered to be the air and the ground/water pollution in both areas. The classification appoints the air pollution as most important as a result of personal experience.

From all the usages that can come from exploitation of geothermal energy, the public selects those which practically reflect the every day needs (power production and desalination).

The fact that the applications of geothermal energy in agriculture, fishery and tourism are not considered as choice from the public leads to the conclusion that the knowledge of the multiple and combined usages of geothermal energy and mainly of the low enthalpy is especially limited in the total of the local societies.

In Milos, the public in a great percentage is in favour of the exploitation of the island’s geothermal potential. The speculations about environment don’t seem to affect the receptivity for total development of the area.

The Nisyros public is presented divided in relation to their response in new activities.

The lack of confidence in the Institutions that undertake the project, is the main reason for the opposition of geothermal development for the majority of the public.

Conclusions


Geothermal energy and environment

Integrated and model development of the islands- Benefits to local societies

Prospect utilization of geothermal potential and local economic activities

Methodical and well-founded enlightenment of local society

Particular attention in “sensitive” categories of population

Senior ages with intensely their personal experience

Propositions


Re-establishment of lost confidence of public

Terms and conditions on the development of geothermal potential.

Attendance of local institutions in their configuration

Completion of institutional framework with the clarification of mechanisms of

follow-up and control of (State and local institutions)

Encouragement of business dexterity of local population

Establishment of effective motives for the undertaking of enterprising action

(Central and Regional level)

Aid of role of Regional bodies in awarding licences for low enthalpy

projects

Propositions

NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENSLaboratory of Thermal

Turbomachines

Increasing policy makers’ awareness and public

acceptance

Dr. Karytsas Constantine

Centre for Renewable Energy Sources

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NATIONAL TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS Laboratory of Thermal Turbomachines Increasing policy...

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