No Infrastructure Without People: Public Engagement for Europe’s Energy Infrastructure

No Infrastructure Without People: Public Engagement for Europe’s Energy Infrastructure

by IEECP Climate and Energy Hub

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Climate & Ecology RNThe environmentRNTSocial impact of environmental issues
🎙 IEECP Climate and Energy Hub 👥 197 📅 June 25, 2026 ⏱ 60 min 👁 35 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-08-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

public engagementenergy infrastructuresurveyenergy transitionstakeholder participation

Summary

The video is a webinar organized by IEECP on public engagement for emerging energy infrastructures in Europe. Diana Süsser introduces the topic and presents results from a multi-country survey conducted in the Netherlands, UK, Sweden, and Austria on public knowledge and willingness to engage with green hydrogen, carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS), and advanced nuclear technologies. Nives Della Valle details the survey findings, showing that while knowledge is low, openness to engage is moderate, with a majority preferring consultation over co-creation or disengagement. Regression models identify factors like prior knowledge and positive feelings as predictors of co-creation, with context-specific factors varying by country. The discussion features experts Andrzej Ceglarz (RGI), Merryn Thomas (University of Exeter), Tanja Perko (SCK CEN), and Jazaer Dawody (Swedish Energy Agency) sharing insights from their work on engagement in grid infrastructure, the PUSH-IT project on underground heat storage, and other initiatives. Key themes include the importance of engagement at all project stages, the need for regulatory support, and the value of co-created engagement tools. The webinar concludes with a call to join the ‘Engaged for Energy’ community of practice.

184 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The video provides valuable insights into public engagement for emerging energy infrastructures, based on a multi-country survey and expert experiences. The survey results are presented with clear visualizations and some statistical analysis, offering a solid foundation for understanding public preferences. The argumentation is generally coherent, with experts supporting the need for meaningful engagement and providing practical examples. However, the discussion remains at a high level, and some claims lack detailed evidence or references. The value lies in the synthesis of survey data and practitioner perspectives, which can inform policy and practice.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate. The survey methodology is not fully detailed, and the results are presented without full statistical reporting. The sources cited are primarily from the presenters’ own projects and institutional websites, with no external peer-reviewed references. The title accurately reflects the content, and the video is well-structured with clear segments. The presence of a live poll and Q&A adds interactivity but does not enhance rigor. Overall, the content is informative but would benefit from more transparent methodology and citations.

188 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on public engagement for energy infrastructure.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The video presents survey results and expert opinions from recognized institutions, but lacks detailed methodological transparency and peer-reviewed sources.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

  • IEECP Website — The institute's official website supports the credibility of the presented research.

Contribution & Novelties

The video contributes original survey data on public engagement preferences for emerging energy technologies across four European countries, highlighting the predominance of consultation over co-creation. It also showcases practical engagement tools like the PUSH-IT engagement catalog and the Pact for Engagement roadmap, offering actionable insights for practitioners.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Public participation (Wikipedia) — Provides a general framework for understanding engagement levels.
  • Energy transition (Wikipedia) — Contextualizes the importance of public acceptance in energy transitions.
  • Social acceptance of renewable energy (ResearchGate) — Discusses the concept of social acceptance, relevant to the survey’s findings.

95 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows balanced scores across information quantity, quality, and reliability, with a slightly lower technical level, indicating a content that is informative and credible but not deeply technical.

Reliability 7/10