Engaging communities with low-carbon energy technologies

In this CPD session, we will cover:

Social acceptance can be a major barrier to the adoption of domestic low-carbon energy technologies. Successful retrofit therefore depends not only on effective technical delivery, but also on engagement processes that build trust, support agency and enable equitable participation. In this talk, I will introduce a community engagement model that combines behavioural science with participatory approaches to identify barriers and enablers to adoption, and to work collaboratively with communities to address barriers and leverage enablers. I will illustrate the approach through a case study of domestic low-rise mine water heat network retrofit in Gateshead, demonstrating how behavioural insights and community participation can inform engagement and support the delivery of locally acceptable low-carbon heat solutions.

Speaker's name: Michael Smith

Speaker's biography: Dr Michael Smith is Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at Northumbria University, with interests in behavioural science and behaviour change. His recent research has been exploring how behavioural and participatory approaches can support the adoption of low-carbon energy and enable more inclusive energy transitions. He has worked closely with local authorities, communities and delivery contractors on projects addressing the social acceptance of domestic low-carbon heat, including the mine water heat network in Gateshead. His work combines behavioural science with community engagement and co-production to develop practical approaches that respond to the needs and experiences of different places and communities.

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