Expert opinion on influential factors driving renewable energy adoption in the water industry

Abstract

Interest in renewable energy adoption in the water industry is growing amid numerous barriers. Overcoming these barriers requires an understanding of the influencing factors that drive renewable energy adoption, namely i) what drives the industry to uptake renewable energy projects, ii) what policies and regulations are perceived by the industry as effective in supporting this trend, and iii) what renewable energy technologies are preferred. To identify influencing factors, a survey was conducted of Australian professionals working in water and wastewater related fields. Reducing costs associated with energy consumption were perceived as the most significant factors influencing renewable energy projects. Respondents perceived compulsory greenhouse gas emissions reduction as the most influential policy. Respondents did not perceive any government financial policy or regulation established for the development of a renewable energy market as highly influential for the water industry. Among all respondents, biogas from sewage sludge and solar photovoltaic were considered the most important technologies available to the industry. Yet, the priority of these technologies differed between respondents working for water/wastewater utilities and the rest of respondents, as the former perceived biogas from co-digestion as the most important technology, while the rest perceived solar PV as the dominant technology. • Cost reduction is main driver for renewable energy adoption in the water industry. • Compulsory GHG emissions reduction is perceived as most influential policy. • Support from local and state institutions highly influence renewable energy adoption. • Future investments are most likely to focus on biogas generation and solar PV.