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Experts versus the Public: Perceptions of Siting Wind Turbines and Performance Concerns

Author

Listed:
  • Neveen Hamza

    (School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Ruben Paul Borg

    (Faculty of the Built Environment Malta, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta)

  • Liberato Camilleri

    (Faculty of Science, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta)

  • Charalampos Baniotopoulos

    (School of Engineering, Birmingham University, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK)

Abstract

Experiences of wind turbines (WT) shape public perception and acceptance of the technology, influencing government policy, deployment, and land-use policies of wind turbines. This paper attempts to find changes in public perceptions over the last three decades and differences between experts and the public over different land-use options. A semi-structured questionnaire that integrates a visual survey of 10 images of WT technology in different urban, landscape and seascape settings was presented to both groups. The perceptions of siting, proximity, landscape type, and maturity of urban wind turbines’ technology in renewable energy generation were contrasted. The results revealed that both the public and experts alike significantly preferred images of WT inclusion in seascape and landscape settings and responded negatively to images of WT as an addition to buildings in urban contexts. Images of wind turbines around transport settings were ranked in the second set of acceptances, after landscape settings, indicating that closer proximity to WT is acceptable, but for a short duration. The analysis also highlighted a preference by the public for aesthetically engaging WT, even if they resulted in lower energy yields, but were less accepted by the experts who based their judgment on technical performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Neveen Hamza & Ruben Paul Borg & Liberato Camilleri & Charalampos Baniotopoulos, 2022. "Experts versus the Public: Perceptions of Siting Wind Turbines and Performance Concerns," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:20:p:7743-:d:947522
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