An Engineer’s Guide to Public Engagement in Renewable Energy Projects

Abstract

This thesis examines the public engagement process for renewable energy projects, focusing on the extent to which public engagement factors into the technical design of the projects. This interdisciplinary research features a two-part literature review, summarizing the key academic literature on public engagement and engineering design, respectively. The resulting insights are distilled into eight guidelines directed to engineers looking or needing to incorporate public engagement into their design processes for renewable energy projects. A case study of the renewable energy landscape in Eastern Ontario under the Green Energy Act tests the validity and applicability of the guidelines. The analysis is based on consultation reports from eight solar and wind projects, supplemented by eight interviews with renewable energy stakeholders in the same geographical area. This research has implications for renewable energy projects, for policymakers, and for the engineering profession, particularly in the context of current initiatives to improve public engagement processes.