PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WITH GEOTHERMAL ENERGY: TWO ITALIAN CASE STUDIES

L\u2019Italia, nel 1904, \ue8 stata il primo paese ad utilizzare la geotermia per la produzione di energia elettrica e oggi si colloca al quinto posto a livello globale per produzione di energia elettrica da fonte geotermica. Nonostante lo straordinario potenziale della risorsa geotermica italiana, le opportunit\ue0 e le possibili implicazioni sociali derivanti dallo sviluppo della geotermia sono state ad oggi poco esplorate. Tuttavia, come dimostrato in letteratura da diversi studi, la mancanza di un coinvolgimento della societ\ue0 nel processo di innovazione pu\uf2 essere uno dei principali fattori di limitazione alla diffusione delle energie rinnovabili. A partire da questa considerazione, l\u2019integrazione dei programmi di ricerca con indagini sull\u2019accettabilit\ue0 sociale delle nuove tecnologie, e, nel caso specifico, con indagini sull\u2019accettabilit\ue0 sociale delle energie rinnovabili, si sta rivelando sempre di pi\uf9 una necessit\ue0 imprescindibile per un\u2019innovazione socialmente ed eticamente sostenibile. Il primo capitolo di questa tesi descrive il contesto di pi\uf9 ampio respiro in cui questo lavoro \ue8 incluso. Questo studio \ue8 infatti parte integrante di due progetti di ricerca condotti a livello nazionale per indagare il potenziale geotermico del centro e del sud Italia (Progetto VIGOR e Progetto Atlante Geotermico del Mezzogiorno). Nel secondo capitolo dell\u2019elaborato \ue8 invece proposta una sintesi dei concetti chiave utilizzati nell\u2019ambito delle scienze sociali per l\u2019analisi dell\u2019accettabilit\ue0 sociale delle energie rinnovabili e per l\u2019elaborazione di nuove policy destinate all\u2019innovazione: fiducia, rischio, place-attachment, Responsible Research and Innovation e public engagement with science. Il cuore di questa ricerca \ue8 presentato nei capitoli 3 e 4. Per indagare l\u2019attitudine e i punti di vista dei cittadini rispetto alle tecnologie geotermiche ho condotto due casi studio: il primo (Capitolo 3) nella provincia di Palermo (Sicilia), il secondo (Capitolo 4) nella provincia di Viterbo (Lazio). Per stabilire l\u2019accettabilit\ue0 sociale dell\u2019energia geotermica nelle aree selezionate, ho utilizzato sia metodi di indagine qualitativa (focus group), sia metodi di indagine quantitativa (questionari). Alla luce dei risultati che ho ottenuto da questi due casi studio, le conclusioni sono presentate nel Capitolo 5. Dopo alcuni richiami alla letteratura, il capitolo presenta alcune riflessioni conclusive derivanti da un\u2019analisi comparativa dei due casi studio: i risultati ottenuti nelle aree di indagine presentano infatti alcune peculiarit\ue0 che confermano la forte relazione, gi\ue0 confermata in letteratura, tra l\u2019accettabilit\ue0 sociale e il concetto di place-attachment. Sulla base di questi risultati, la tesi si conclude con alcuni suggerimenti di buone pratiche orientate a garantire la partecipazione pubblica, col fine ultimo di coinvolgere tutti gli attori sociali coinvolti nell\u2019innovazione tecnologica in ogni fase del processo di innovazione stessa: dalle prime valutazioni in termini di priorit\ue0 di ricerca e di strategia su larga scala, fino allo sviluppo di singoli progetti sul territorio.Italy was the first country to exploit geothermal resources for energy production, already back in 1904, and ranks fifth in the world for geothermal power production. Despite the extraordinary potential of the Italian geothermal resource, there appears to be little knowledge or understanding of this opportunity and its implications for the general society. However, several literature studies show that the lack of public engagement in the innovation process may be a constraining factor for eventual increase the share of renewables and that social acceptance of new technologies should be included in research programs. In the first Chapter of this thesis I describe the research framework in which this work is included. The research is part of two national research projects assessing the geothermal resources of central and southern Italy (Progetto VIGOR and Progetto Atlante Geotermico del Mezzogiorno). In the second chapter of this thesis I describe the key concept adopted by recent line of social sciences scholarship in order to analyze the social acceptance of renewables and to elaborate new innovation policy: trust, risk perception and communication, place-attachment, Responsible Research and Innovation and public engagement with science. The core of the research is presented in chapter 3 and 4. To explore attitudes and public views towards geothermal energy technologies, we conducted two case studies: the first (Chapter 3) in the Palermo Province (Sicily) and the second (Chapter 4) in the Viterbo Province (Central Italy). In order to assess social acceptance of geothermal energy in the selected areas, we used a mix of qualitative (focus groups) and quantitative methods (survey). In the light of the outcomes of these two case studies, I present the overall conclusions in Chapter 5. After some literature remarks, an overall comparative reasoning on the findings of my research is given: beside some general similarities, the two case studies show significant peculiarities that confirm the strong relation existing between social acceptance and place-related meanings. Based on these findings, I conclude the thesis by suggesting some good practices oriented towards public engagement in order to include all relevant actors at every phase of the innovation process, from the very early stage (i.e. identification of priorities, social needs and future visions at a large scale level) to the development of single innovation projects (i.e. facilities siting and plants development at local level)

VIGOR: Sviluppo geotermico nelle Regioni della Convergenza

La valutazione del potenziale geotermico. Quadro normativo e iter autorizzativo per la ricerca e la coltivazione di risorse geotermiche. Accettabilità sociale della geotermia. Il caso tipo di Termini Imeres

Exploring public engagement with geothermal energy in southern Italy : a case study

This paper presents the results of an assessment of public views on eventual geothermal energy development in Sicily. The research was carried out under a much wider research project, VIGOR, with the aim to explore the feasibility of geothermal energy utilization in southern Italy. This study has two primary objectives: (1) to explore the views and opinions of local communities regarding the potential of geothermal energy applications; (2) to contribute to the growing literature on public engagement with energy issues. In order to explore public views towards geothermal technologies, we conducted a case study using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Although Italy has enormous geological potential for geothermal energy production, levels of knowledge of this energy source amongst the public are low. The results indicate that the issue is shrouded in uncertainty and that the Sicilian public expresses a diffused lack of trust in decision-making processes. Taken together, these factors are likely to strongly impact eventual further developments in this sector. The results clearly show the need for further societal dialogue supported by a sound communication action strategy as the first stage in a public participation

Geothermal energy and the public : a case study on deliberative citizens’ engagement in central Italy

This paper reports on a case study on the citizens\u2019 engagement with developments towards the harnessing of geothermal energy in central Italy. The research has been conducted within the framework of a larger project on the feasibility of further geothermal developments in Italy, funded by the Italian government. The aims of the case study research were first to explore the role of public and stakeholder engagement in the processes of innovation in the geothermal energy sector. Second, to design, implement and consolidate a methodological framework for comparative analysis of case studies on citizens\u2019 engagement, thus bringing a social scientific perspective into geothermal energy research. The results show general support for renewable energy but knowledge and understanding of the potential of geothermal is remarkably low. Lack of trust in politics and unsure public communication emerged as prominent themes where the common good and community developments are sharply contrasted with corporate and private interests. As geothermal energy is included and encouraged under the European Strategic Energy Plan and in the Paris agreement on halting climate change, the results can make significant input into future policy making, by providing concrete guidelines on citizens\u2019 engagement in processes of culturally sustainable innovation

Acceptability of geothermal installations : A geoethical concept for GeoLaB

International audienceThe growing demand for energy, natural resources and urban expansion during the last two centuries increased human interference with the geosphere far beyond geothermal usage. The increasing number of large-scale projects intervening the area of life of communities raised public concerns related to their environmental and social impact. Integration of public concerns into such projects should therefore go beyond outreach and communication measures. It requires an open approach to inclusive governance structures with respect to designing research and development processes and to modify technological options. Geoethical concepts emphasize that geoscientific knowledge may assist society in decision making as well as in dealing with risks, user conflicts and environmental threats on local, regional and global scale in order to support more sustainable practices at the intersection of human beings and the geosphere.In the present article, we analyse the social response to recent geothermal development and identify the precondition for public acceptability of geothermal projects. On this basis, the potential contribution of a GeoLaB, a Geothermal Laboratory in the crystalline Basement, to a geoethic approach in geothermal research and technology development is discussed. The underground research laboratory is planned as an infrastructure to answer scientific challenges and to offer the necessary transparency to interact with the public. The GeoLaB approach aims on transparent, tangible science and can serve to enhance mutual understanding of stakeholder groups. It may increase public awareness on geothermal research and potentially enhance the opportunity for public approval of planned activities. As a generic site, GeoLaB can develop scientific-technological solutions for a responsible exploitation of geothermal energy accompanied by sociological studies. The underground research laboratory will serve as a platform for science communication, participation and dialogue of stakeholders from industry, politics, administration and society. This complies with the comprehension of responsible research in a geoethical sense

Assessment of levator hiatal area using 3D

Objectives: Deep infiltrating endometriosis is associated with chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, and pelvic floor muscle hypertone. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of pelvic floor physiotherapy on changes in the area of levator ani muscle hiatus under Valsalva maneuver assessed with transperineal ultrasound in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis suffering from superficial dyspareunia. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 34 nulliparous women diagnosed with deep infiltrating endometriosis and associated superficial dyspareunia were enrolled. After an initial clinical examination, evaluation of pain symptoms using Numerical Rating Scale and 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound, eligible women were randomly assigned (1:1) to no intervention (control group, 17 women) or treatment with five individual sessions of pelvic floor physiotherapy (study group, 17 women). Four months after the first examination, all women underwent a second evaluation of pain symptoms and transperineal ultrasound. During both ultrasound examinations, the levator hiatal area was measured at rest, upon maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction and maximum Valsalva maneuver. The primary outcome measure was the change in the levator hiatal area at maximum Valsalva maneuver between the two examinations in the two groups. Results: Thirty women completed the study and were included in the analysis: 17 in the study group and 13 in the control group. The percentage change in levator hiatal area at maximum Valsalva maneuver between the two examinations was higher in the study group than in the control group (20.0±24.8% vs. -0.5±3.3%, P=0.02). After treatment, the change in the Numerical Rating Scale score of superficial dyspareunia was higher in the study group than in the control group (median [interquartile range] -3 [-4,-2] vs. 0 [0,0], P <0.01). Moreover, at second examination significant differences between the two groups were found regarding chronic pelvic pain (0 [-2,0] vs. 0 [0,1], P =0.01). Conclusions: In women with deep infiltrating endometriosis, pelvic floor physiotherapy seems to be effective in the improvement of superficial dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain, and pelvic floor muscle relaxation, leading to an increase in levator hiatal area under Valsalva maneuver observed by 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved

Intimate Partner Violence in the COVID-19 Era: A Health, Psychological, Forensic and Legal Perspective

This commentary aims to provide a multidisciplinary framework on intimate partner violence (IPV) during the COVID-19 pandemic (with a specific focus on the most predominant form of gender-based violence, i.e., male violence towards women), commenting on the multiple negative consequences of the pandemic on gender violence and providing elements of effective practice. We searched literature for reports/studies on the issue of IPV during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on health, psychological, forensic, and legal aspects. The combined effects of lockdowns, isolation at home with abusive partners, quarantine, and economic worries/loss of a job could significantly facilitate violence against women and, at the same time, diminish women’s chances to seek for help, with a strong negative impact on their life. The continued offer of clinical, psychological, forensic, and legal services for survivors of violence, despite the modifications to the provision of these services due to the new needs related to the COVID-19 pandemic, appears of utmost importance. All actions to support survivors of IPV are expected to be multidisciplinary, including the involvement of social and/or legal services and health systems, and woman-centred. Implementing these measures in the COVID-19 era appears challenging but is of primary importance