Residents views on airborne wind energy sought
An airborne wind energy test site has been established in Bangor Erris.
A new survey will examine residents’ views and experiences of an airborne wind energy test site in Bangor Erris.
Airborne wind energy –sometimes called kite energy– is a new type of wind energy technology that RWE is testing in Bangor Erris in collaboration with its technology partner Kitepower, Mayo County Council, and the MegaAWE Project.
Airborne wind energy harnesses the strong and steady winds at altitudes greater than several hundred metres to produce renewable electricity. It was found that Bangor Erris would make an ideal location to develop this technology after a comprehensive global search. An interdisciplinary research team from two universities (Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and Politecnico di Milano in Italy) wants to better understand residents’ views on airborne wind energy.
They feel best way to do this is by asking people living close to airborne wind energy sites to share their thoughts and opinions. The survey will inquire about residents’ experience with the existing onshore airborne wind energy test site in Bangor Erris and their views on a hypothetical offshore deployment of airborne wind energy. Any adults living in May can participate in the survey, even if they are currently unaware of the airborne wind energy test site in Bangor Erris.
Researchers hope that residents can share their opinion on an emerging renewable energy technology by participating in the study, and it can help shape a more socially just energy transition. Recommendations for future airborne wind energy projects will be derived from the survey, and the results will be discussed with airborne wind energy developers.
The survey will consist of a questionnaire addressed to all residents in Mayo County and additional in-person interviews with willing residents to gather more in-depth knowledge. The questionnaire will be made available online and advertised with the help of local media and organisations. In addition, hard copies will be distributed to all houses in Bangor Erris.
A public information event takes place in Bangor Erris Community Hall tomorrow (Wednesday) from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. The online survey has already been published and is available at Researcher Helena Schmidt told the Western People that while people in Mayo are very familiar with wind energy, airborne wind energy is a novel type of technology.
“We are mainly interested in how people perceive the technology,” said Ms Schmidt.
Public perception of the planning process will also feature in the survey.
“That’s usually a crucial factor,” added Ms Schmidt.
The link to the survey is https://edu.nl/pn7ed
