New energy and energy storage are caught in a whirlpool of public opinion

What are public perceptions of new energy technologies?

Studies of public perceptions of and responses to new energy technologies attempt to understand, describe and explain what the public knows and thinks about these technologies—and, equally important, how they have responded or might respond to their deployment.

Are public perceptions of new energy technologies fragmented?

Researchers studying public perceptions of and responses to new energy technologies draw on a wide array of theoretical frameworks and models, leading some scholars to lament the fragmented nature of insights in the field 26.

What would happen if there were no energy storage?

Without energy storage, the costs of the energy transition would be higher. Countries would need to “overbuild” wind and solar plants or look at other ways of integrating renewable energy, such as by managing demand — asking consumers to use less electricity because the wind is not blowing, for example — or importing electricity from abroad.

Does the public know about energy technologies?

One consistent finding in this literature is that the public is often unfamiliar with energy technologies 14, 15, 16, 17. This finding mirrors results from decades of public opinion research showing that the public is often not well informed on specific policy issues 18.

Do public responses to new energy technologies influence adoption and deployment?

Public responses to new energy technologies can influence adoption and deployment. This Review brings together research on public perceptions of and responses to a wide range of energy technologies around the themes of technology, people, place and process.

Do energy storage systems cover green energy plateaus?

Energy storage systems must develop to cover green energy plateaus. We need additional capacity to store the energy generated from wind and solar power for periods when there is less wind and sun. Batteries are at the core of the recent growth in energy storage and battery prices are dropping considerably.