Institute for Future Energy and Material Flow Systems

IZES (Institute for Future Energy and Material Flow Systems) gGmbH is an independent research institute in Saarbrücken (Germany). The Department Environmental Psychology analysis the psychological and social factors connected to renewable energy production and consumption. Main goal of the research is to develop new ways and recommendations for a sustainable and socially acceptable transition of the energy system. Looking from a systemic perspective, qualitative and quantitative research methods are used in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. Besides the research on public acceptance and participation processes in the context of energy transition, a focus is on the psychological factors determining an energy-efficient usage on household, community and organisational levels as well as the involvement of several stakeholder groups into the transition process.

Role in the project:

IZES will address the social acceptance of the hydrogen infrastructure in Luxembourg. Different stakeholder groups along the hydrogen value chain will be approached, including bus operators and bus users as well as the general public. Their opinions, attitudes, expectations and reluctances towards the project are assessed via qualitative interviews and focus groups. The results draw a wholesome picture of the current situation and help to identify proactively potential societal obstacles. By this means, intervention measures are defined to create understanding and acceptance of the deployment of hydrogen in LU. Additionally, the results are directly integrated in the conception of knowledge transfer and communication strategies.