Report on assessment of future potentials of SIE in Europe: Business models and competitiveness, future policy interventions

SONNET aims to create an inter- and transdisciplinary understanding of the diversity and processes of social innovations in the energy sector (SIE) using an innovative mixed-method research design. As part of work package 5 of the SONNET project, the citizen survey gathers responses from approximately 6,000 participants in three countries: France, Germany, and Poland. The surveys consist of a general part and a specific part focussing on selected SIE.

Based on a demographically representative citizen survey in France, Germany and Poland (total N= 6,141), this report assesses future potential of SIE in European countries. To this end, it employs statistical-econometric analyses to investigate factors driving citizen investment in renewable energy projects, participation in renewable energy cooperatives, and purchasing of mobile energy applications with gamification components. These analyses rely in particular on three stated preferences discrete choice experiments (DCEs) on (i) investment projects in decentralised renewable electricity generation conducted in France, Germany, and Poland, (ii) participation in renewable energy cooperatives (RECs) conducted in France, and (iii) energy gamification through mobile applications conducted in Germany. The analysis identifies the role of specific attributes of these SIEs, and individual characteristics such as attitudes and socio-demographic factors. Based on the results and insights from additional survey questions, recommendations for business models and policies are derived.