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Establishing an agenda for social studies research in marine renewable energy

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Listed:
  • Kerr, Sandy
  • Watts, Laura
  • Colton, John
  • Conway, Flaxen
  • Hull, Angela
  • Johnson, Kate
  • Jude, Simon
  • Kannen, Andreas
  • MacDougall, Shelley
  • McLachlan, Carly
  • Potts, Tavis
  • Vergunst, Jo

Abstract

To date, academic research relating to Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) has largely focused on resource assessment, technical viability and environmental impact. Experiences from onshore renewable energy tell us that social acceptability is equally critical to project success. However, the specific nature of the marine environment, patterns of resource distribution and governance means experiences from onshore may not be directly applicable to MRE and the marine environment. This paper sets out an agenda for social studies research linked to MRE, identifying key topics for future research: (i) economic impacts; (ii) wealth distribution and community benefits; (iii) communication and knowledge flow; (iv) consultation processes; (v) dealing with uncertainty; (vi) public attitudes; and (vii) planning processes. This agenda is based on the findings of the first workshop of ISSMER, an international research network of social scientists with interests in marine renewable energy. Importantly, this research agenda has been informed by the experiences of developers, regulators and community groups in Orkney. The Orkney archipelago, off the north coast of Scotland, is home to the most intense cluster of MRE research, development and deployment activity in the world today.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerr, Sandy & Watts, Laura & Colton, John & Conway, Flaxen & Hull, Angela & Johnson, Kate & Jude, Simon & Kannen, Andreas & MacDougall, Shelley & McLachlan, Carly & Potts, Tavis & Vergunst, Jo, 2014. "Establishing an agenda for social studies research in marine renewable energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 694-702.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:67:y:2014:i:c:p:694-702
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2013.11.063
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    9. Fanning, Tim & Jones, Calvin & Munday, Max, 2014. "The regional employment returns from wave and tidal energy: A Welsh analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 958-966.
    10. Kerr, S. & Johnson, K. & Side, J.C., 2014. "Planning at the edge: Integrating across the land sea divide," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 118-125.
    11. Richardson, Riley Lindsay & Buckham, Bradley & McWhinnie, Lauren Helen, 2022. "Mapping a blue energy future for British Columbia: Creating a holistic framework for tidal stream energy development in remote coastal communities," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
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    14. Kerr, Sandy & Colton, John & Johnson, Kate & Wright, Glen, 2015. "Rights and ownership in sea country: implications of marine renewable energy for indigenous and local communities," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 108-115.
    15. Ruano-Chamorro, Cristina & Castilla, Juan Carlos & Gelcich, Stefan, 2018. "Human dimensions of marine hydrokinetic energies: Current knowledge and research gaps," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 1979-1989.
    16. Jenkins, Lekelia Danielle & Dreyer, Stacia Jeanne & Polis, Hilary Jacqueline & Beaver, Ezra & Kowalski, Adam A. & Linder, Hannah L. & McMillin, Thomas Neal & McTiernan, Kaylie Laura & Rogier, Thea The, 2018. "Human dimensions of tidal energy: A review of theories and frameworks," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 323-337.
    17. Emma McKinley & Oscar Aller-Rojas & Caroline Hattam & Celine Germond-Duret & Inés Vicuña San Martín & Charlotte Rachael Hopkins & Héctor Aponte & Tavis Potts, 2019. "Charting the course for a blue economy in Peru: a research agenda," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 2253-2275, October.
    18. Salvador, Santiago & Gimeno, Luis & Sanz Larruga, F. Javier, 2019. "The influence of maritime spatial planning on the development of marine renewable energies in Portugal and Spain: Legal challenges and opportunities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 316-328.
    19. Andersson, Johnn & Perez Vico, Eugenia & Hammar, Linus & Sandén, Björn A., 2017. "The critical role of informed political direction for advancing technology: The case of Swedish marine energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 52-64.
    20. M. S. Chowdhury & Kazi Sajedur Rahman & Vidhya Selvanathan & Narissara Nuthammachot & Montri Suklueng & Ali Mostafaeipour & Asiful Habib & Md. Akhtaruzzaman & Nowshad Amin & Kuaanan Techato, 2021. "Current trends and prospects of tidal energy technology," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 8179-8194, June.
    21. Segura, E. & Morales, R. & Somolinos, J.A., 2018. "A strategic analysis of tidal current energy conversion systems in the European Union," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 527-551.
    22. Devine-Wright, Patrick & Wiersma, Bouke, 2020. "Understanding community acceptance of a potential offshore wind energy project in different locations: An island-based analysis of ‘place-technology fit’," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
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