Every year, the Praxisforum Geothermie.Bayern provides a platform for the exchange of specialist knowledge, innovations and best practices in the field of deep geothermal energy. In this context, experts from science, business, politics and practice discuss, among other things, how geothermal projects can be optimally implemented. The workshops at this year's practical forum focused on induced seismicity and social acceptance, which plays a decisive role in the operation of geothermal plants. This is because underground work can lead to noticeable ground vibrations and have a significant impact on the acceptance of local residents and the general public.
Successful communication and trust: the be-all and end-all when it comes to acceptance
As part of his doctoral project (HNU/TUM), Robin Renoth, research assistant at the DigiHealth Institute at HNU, is investigating which factors influence the acceptance of geothermal energy projects and how. At the end of the workshop day on October 16, the HNU scientist presented the results of his meta-study, shedding light on the acceptance of geothermal projects from a research perspective. In combination with the practical perspective offered by Marlene Käppler, PR consultant and rhetorician at Enerchange, this created the basis for an interactive exchange with the workshop participants. The conclusion of the workshop: There is no universal panacea for guaranteeing positive acceptance of a geothermal project. However, opinions are often based on personal and immediate benefits, such as more space in the basement or favorable, stable and competitive prices. Early and well-founded information work, ideally presented by a trustworthy person on site, can promote acceptance; the same applies to the target group-oriented preparation of information. In this context, trust is created above all through local roots, for example through the local municipal utility.
Contact person
Robin Renoth
