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The Social Perspective on the Renewable Energy Autonomy of Geographically Isolated Communities: Evidence from a Mediterranean Island

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  • Fontina Petrakopoulou

    (Thermal and Fluid Engineering Department, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, avenida de la Universidad 30, 28911 Leganés, Madrid, Spain
    Unit of Environmental Science and Technology, National Technical University of Athens, Zografou 15780, Greece)

Abstract

The use of renewable energy sources can provide a path toward sustainable development and regional energy independence. In particular, renewable-based energy autonomy constitutes a viable option in remote areas. This work presents a survey on the use of renewable energy as part of an energy autonomy plan on a Mediterranean island. The study also included personal communications with residents and local community leaders. The results show an overall positive attitude toward renewable energy applications. The majority of the respondents support the implementation of renewable-based, small-scale projects corresponding to local energy autonomy scenarios. They are, furthermore, convinced that a wider use of renewable technologies can reduce the environmental impact of conventional fuels. However, although people are aware of technologies widely used on the island, they are much less so when it comes to less prominent technologies (wave energy, fuel cells, etc.). People tend to be more open to installations of solar, wind and geothermal energy, while generally they dislike nuclear and coal power plants. Lastly, the majority of the respondents believe that local policies on energy issues should change, while they also perceive the lack of political will as one of the most important obstacles to the implementation of renewable technologies.

Suggested Citation

  • Fontina Petrakopoulou, 2017. "The Social Perspective on the Renewable Energy Autonomy of Geographically Isolated Communities: Evidence from a Mediterranean Island," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-8, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:3:p:327-:d:91217
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Paravantis, John A. & Stigka, Eleni & Mihalakakou, Giouli & Michalena, Evanthie & Hills, Jeremy M. & Dourmas, Vasilis, 2018. "Social acceptance of renewable energy projects: A contingent valuation investigation in Western Greece," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 639-651.
    3. Elisa Peñalvo-López & Francisco Javier Cárcel-Carrasco & Carlos Devece & Ana Isolda Morcillo, 2017. "A Methodology for Analysing Sustainability in Energy Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Batara Surya & Andi Muhibuddin & Seri Suriani & Emil Salim Rasyidi & Baharuddin Baharuddin & Andi Tenri Fitriyah & Herminawaty Abubakar, 2021. "Economic Evaluation, Use of Renewable Energy, and Sustainable Urban Development Mamminasata Metropolitan, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-45, January.
    5. Juntunen, Jouni K. & Martiskainen, Mari, 2021. "Improving understanding of energy autonomy: A systematic review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    6. Daniel Ganea & Valentin Amortila & Elena Mereuta & Eugen Rusu, 2017. "A Joint Evaluation of the Wind and Wave Energy Resources Close to the Greek Islands," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-22, June.

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