INSPIRE-GRID · Improved and eNhanced Stakeholders Participation In Reinforcement of Electricity Grid

The basic assumption of the project is that the difficult public acceptance of Electric Power System (EPS) infrastructures are due to several reasons: i) the lack of trustworthiness in the relationship between Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and the stakeholders and general public; ii) the difficulty in comparing the new EPS infrastructures benefits, which are on a global, with the impacts , which are mostly “local”; iii) the perception of risks, threats and problems for the stakeholders, often neglected or scarcely recognized and understood by TSOs; iv) the lack of tools to facilitate the stakeholders and public participation to decision processes; v) the fragility or the complexity of the participatory processes, with the consequent very low effectiveness. The project idea, therefore, includes:1. the analysis of the needs, concerns, wants and expectations of the stakeholders and general public2. the development or adaptation of methodologies to assess impacts and benefits3. the development of suitable processes for an effective communication and real participation of the stakeholders and general public4. a series of case studies (taking into account geographical location, size of the infrastructure and stage of completion of the scheme), with a double aim: to give elements to the methodological activities and to allow a proper testing5. a synthesis of the project results and a series of recommendations about the stakeholders and general public engagement6. the dissemination of the project results and outputThe overarching goal of this proposal is to develop a methodology to manage the consultation in order to engage the stakeholders in the decision making process and to improve support of development of future grid infrastructure. Based on multidisciplinary approach, it is proposed to design and develop a European good practice guide lead by experts in the field of development of grid infrastructure, environmental and social acceptance issues.