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Bridging Social and Technical Sciences: Introduction of the Societal Embeddedness Level

Author

Listed:
  • Marit Sprenkeling

    (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research—TNO, 2595 DA The Hague, The Netherlands)

  • Tara Geerdink

    (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research—TNO, 2595 DA The Hague, The Netherlands)

  • Adriaan Slob

    (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research—TNO, 2595 DA The Hague, The Netherlands)

  • Amber Geurts

    (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research—TNO, 2595 DA The Hague, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The successful and fast development and deployment of renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction technologies is a continuing and structural challenge. The deployment of these technologies is slowed down and sometimes even stalled due to societal challenges like public resistance, lack of appropriate policy and regulations, unsolid business cases and uncertainty concerning the impact on the environment. In this paper we elaborate on societal aspects that influence technology development and deployment and introduce the societal embeddedness level (SEL) framework. Building upon the technology readiness level (TRL), the SEL framework enables the assessment of the current level of societal embeddedness of energy technologies in order to identify the societal aspects which need to be taken into account to accelerate deployment of energy technologies. The SEL framework takes into account four societal dimensions (impact on the environment, stakeholder involvement, policy and regulations, and market and financial resources) and four stages of technology development (exploration, development, demonstration and deployment) that are linked to the TRL. The SEL framework has been elaborated for CCS technologies and is being applied to the monitoring of geological CO 2 storage by the ACT II project DigiMon (Digital Monitoring of CO 2 storage projects). DigiMon is an ACT second call project, funded by the national funding agencies in the period September 2019–August 2022.

Suggested Citation

  • Marit Sprenkeling & Tara Geerdink & Adriaan Slob & Amber Geurts, 2022. "Bridging Social and Technical Sciences: Introduction of the Societal Embeddedness Level," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:17:p:6252-:d:899605
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dimitrios Mendrinos & Spyridon Karytsas & Olympia Polyzou & Constantine Karytsas & Åsta Dyrnes Nordø & Kirsti Midttømme & Danny Otto & Matthias Gross & Marit Sprenkeling & Ruben Peuchen & Tara Geerdin, 2022. "Understanding Societal Requirements of CCS Projects: Application of the Societal Embeddedness Level Assessment Methodology in Four National Case Studies," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Emma ter Mors & Esther van Leeuwen & Christine Boomsma & Renate Meier, 2023. "Media Coverage of Carbon Capture and Storage: An Analysis of Established and Emerging Themes in Dutch National Newspapers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Danny Otto & Marit Sprenkeling & Ruben Peuchen & Åsta Dyrnes Nordø & Dimitrios Mendrinos & Spyridon Karytsas & Siri Veland & Olympia Polyzou & Martha Lien & Yngve Heggelund & Matthias Gross & Pim Piek, 2022. "On the Organisation of Translation—An Inter- and Transdisciplinary Approach to Developing Design Options for CO 2 Storage Monitoring Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, August.

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