How far is it from your home? Strategic policy and management to overcome barriers of introducing fuel-cell power generation facilities

Abstract

The Korean government introduced the Hydrogen Portfolio Standard for expanding hydrogen fuel-cell power plants to complement the intermittency and volatility of solar photovoltaic and wind power. As for existing power plants, the public perceives fuel cell power plants as dangerous facilities. In this study, we examined the prevalence of the "Not in My Backyard (NIMBY)" phenomenon and the effect of information provision on public acceptance of power plants based on the choice experiment incorporating consumer behavior theory. Results showed that information regarding the construction and operation of power plants is essential for alleviating the NIMBY phenomenon. In addition, by reflecting on the expected separation distance for the power generation facility, loss avoidance behavior in which people become relatively more sensitive to having the plants closer to the residence was identified. Through various analysis results, this study presents policy and management strategies securing public acceptance toward expanding fuel cell power plants.