Does intermittency management improve public acceptance of wind energy? A discrete choice experiment in Ireland

Abstract

Due to Ireland's abundant wind resources, the Irish government are focussing primarily on wind energy to meet renewable electricity targets. However, due to intermittent wind speeds, the energy generated cannot be scheduled as consistently as conventional fuel sources, impacting power system security and stability. Developing wind energy that internalises intermittency could provide positive public impacts in the form of reduced emissions, increased renewable energy capacity and energy security but can also have negative impacts in the form of increased costs, visual disamenities, environmental impacts and reduced autarky, amongst others. Few studies elicit public preferences for the development of wind energy that takes account of intermittency. Using focus groups and a discrete choice experiment involving four latent classes as part of a national survey of 1107 members of the public in Ireland, we evaluate public preferences for wind energy development that mitigates wind energy variability through electricity trade, battery storage, and demand side management. We observe substantial heterogeneity with respect to preferences for wind energy development with intermittency solutions. Approximately 62 % of the sample derive positive utility from all solutions, appear unconcerned about the potential negative impacts of renewable energy infrastructure and display pro-wind energy sentiment. However, 38 % do not derive utility from most or all of the solutions. The vast majority of our respondents; approximately 94 %; support measures to compensate affected individuals for near neighbour externalities associated with wind power generation using local benefit funds even at a personal cost to themselves.