A mixed picture: Study explores e-participation in Germany's energy transition

Can e-participation build acceptance and strengthen the democratic legitimacy of infrastructure planning? A new study by the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) published in Technological Forecasting and Social Change evaluates the use of e-participation technologies in the context of the German energy transition for the first time.

RIFS-researcher Jörg Radtke finds that e-participation solutions that inform citizens while also harnessing their creative input can play a key role in the implementation of the energy transition.

In recent years, various forms of e-participation have emerged that experiment with visual and interactive technologies. So far, however, little research has been conducted to evaluate the use of e-participation formats in the context of the German energy transition.

Radtke's study "E-participation in energy transitions: What does it mean?" closes this gap: The study draws on interviews with stakeholders in a wind farm project in North Rhine-Westphalia as well as the findings of an online survey on attitudes towards wind power.

"Most of the citizens surveyed are open towards using new options for creative input and visualization-based online tools because they make planning processes more transparent and tangible. It is also clear that citizens appreciate being involved in decision-making processes at an early stage," says RIFS-researcher Radtke.

The study also shows that many people would be willing to participate in planning processes if e-participation formats were more inclusive and oriented towards citizens' needs. However, this requires clear communication strategies that build trust as well as the willingness to tangibly engage with citizens' concerns in planning processes.

Most online participation offerings are simply not of interest to many citizens. Radtke emphasizes the need for mobilization strategies that can generate interest in e-participation and leverage this untapped potential to build acceptance and strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the energy transition.

Addressing the concerns of institutional stakeholders

Institutional stakeholders have concerns around the efficiency and integrity of e-participation processes, in particular with respect to data security. The research also revealed concerns on the part of some institutional stakeholders that e-participation formats could be difficult to control and may exacerbate existing conflicts.

Misleading charts and statistics on wind power that are disseminated through social media could spread uncontrollably in e-participation spaces, for example. In light of this, local government bodies often view e-participation merely as a means to deliver information and are reluctant to afford processes any real decision-making power.

"Citizens are extremely critical of this kind of alibi participation," says Radtke of the study's findings. Instead, he recommends that organizers facilitate constructive debate through effective content and community moderation.

The study also shows that e-participation could potentially reach a larger number of citizens than conventional participation formats thanks to its flexibility and accessibility. E-participation especially benefits people with mobility issues or limited opportunities to attend face-to-face events, enabling them to participate in public debate and contribute their opinions.

Visualization tools in planning and participation

The study also examines the use of 3D visualization tools and augmented and virtual reality technologies in e-participation processes. These technologies can be used to present infrastructure proposals in a manner that is easy to comprehend, enabling citizens to better evaluate plans, make specific suggestions, and provide concrete feedback.

Visualization technologies also enable planners and citizens to gain a better picture of the impacts of new infrastructure—in contrast to conventional participation formats such as dialogue events and public meetings, where proposals are frequently discussed without any real understanding of how infrastructures will impact landscapes.

Augmented reality technologies can be used to illustrate the integration of wind turbines in a specific setting, for example, enabling citizens to experience their likely visual and acoustic impacts from their "own living room window." Using visualization technologies in this way can help to avoid misunderstandings and invites citizens to provide creative feedback, which can improve the overall outcome of the planning process.

Radtke anticipates that the adoption of AI technologies will improve accessibility and help to bridge the gap between today's already sophisticated technical applications and citizen's restrained interest in e-participation. Virtual flights and tours through planned wind farms, guided by virtual assistants who answer citizens' questions, are likely to become reality one day.

Ultimately, the advantages can outweigh the possible disadvantages of digital tools: The targeted use of 3D, AR, VR and AI technologies, moderated discussion forums and new options for civic participation—such as inviting community input on the allocation of revenues from energy infrastructure—could accelerate the energy transition while also building acceptance and generating greater democratic legitimacy, says Radtke.

"This analysis provides valuable insights into current attitudes towards the use of e-participation in Germany's energy transition and concrete recommendations for the design and implementation of e-participation in future energy policy."

Provided by Forschungsinstitut für Nachhaltigkeit Helmholtz-Zentrum Potsdam