Public Perception of Geothermal Energy in Selected European Countries

Abstract

Public awareness and acceptance are among indispensable factors that facilitate geothermal energy uses development. These become more and more clear also in many European countries possessing prospective resources. Therefore, it is important to know the state of acceptance among key social groups in order to understand current circumstances and constraints that affect geothermal development and to undertake relevant education and promotion activities in order to build positive attitudes among the public. The results of socio-economic research aimed at cross-national, comparative analysis of public understanding and attitudes towards geothermal energy done for seven European countries (Hungary, Italy, FYROM (Macedonia), Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia) as well as proposed education activities are presented in the paper.