Acceptance of a sustainable energy system: 1. Long term
acceptance for necessary changes is a basic prerequisite for a
sustainable energy system. It can only be achieved by
comprehensive information about chances and risks as well as the
early involvement of affected persons into planning and
financing of concrete projects. 2. Acceptance needs to be based
on rational consideration of advantages and disadvantages and
should not fail due to unfounded fears (discourse orientation of
the modern society). Engineers and scientists have the
responsibility to create a solid basis for fundamental
technology decisions. Chances and risks need to be investigated
devoid of ideologies and a comprehensible communication of the
results is necessary. Barriers to acceptance have to be
identified. 3. To judge, understand and finally create
acceptance for complex large-scale technologies (e.g. energy
technology), standardized evaluation factors can help (e.g. VDI
3780, IEA et al.: „Energy Indicators for Sustainable
Development“)