Maarten Wolsink: Environmental Geography

His expertise is:

• Social Acceptance of renewable energy innovation;
• In particular renewable sources, Distributed Energy Systems (DES) and Intelligent Microgrids (integrated renewables, storage, balancing with demand (DR: Demand Response) in co-produced DES;
• Energy policy, particularly with regards DES based on renewables;

• Environmental conflict in infrastructure decision making (energy, waste, water, green space);

• In education, topics are:
  - environmental geography and analysis of environmental issues
  - energy issues, in particular renewables' innovation and infrastrastructures
  - climate change, mitigation and adaptation
  - social science methods

History and Track Record: Renewable Energy and Environmental Conflict

At the Environmental Science department (1984-1999), world-wide pioneer of social research on renewable energy (non-hydro) implementation.
In the late 1980-ies: three of the first peer reviewed articles worldwide on social acceptance processes of wind power: Neth J Housing Environ Res 1987; Environ Impact Assess Rev 1988; Wind Engineering 1989 (all links in the Scopus overview, this page).

Based on this research: PhD thesis in 1990 (see cover above): public acceptance within the broader frame of social acceptance of wind power.

The focus has always been on a limited quantity of papers with priority for high impact. Not always successful, but several have shown remarkable impact:

• the conceptual elaboration of Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Innovation. The general concept SA as a process ( Wüstenhagen, Wolsink & Bürer, 2007,) has become the most cited paper in the Department of Geography and the social science research institute AISSR of the UvA. The identifiacation as a multi-level process (socio-political, market, and commnity acceptance) has become mainstream in SA research. Primarily in the energy domain, but also in some other fields of innovation.
•  Recent further elabaration of the SA concept concerns the issues of interation of different resources, demand response, storage capacily and intellogence in Distributed Energy Systems, as well as the institutional factors consituting the conditions for co-production.  Co-production in distributed generation: renewable energy and creating space for fitting infrastructure within landscapes (online, Open Access,  Landscape Research, 2018) provides a full overview of all relevant infrastructures for DES with their characteristics concerning landscape impact and co-production in space-making for infrastucture. 
• Discussion on the concept of Social Acceptance in 2 recent papers in Energy Research and Social Science: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.07.034 and https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.12.006
• Recently, since 21/04/2020 the first elaboration of SA on distributed energy was published: Distributed energy systems as common goods: Socio-political acceptance of renewables in intelligent microgrids. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 127, 109841.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109841

Most articles can be accessed directly at the "Key Publications and Research" page (link top of this page). Alternatively, all full texts of articles are available at "Research Gate". https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maarten_Wolsink

Education
Physics 'Kandidaat' (BSc) 1971-1974
BA Political Science  1975-1979
MA Political Science Methodology & Mass Communication 1982
PhD Social Psychology 1990

Career:

1979-1982 Research and education Assistant;  Department of Methodology (Political Science,University of Amsterdam)
1983-1993 Researcher at IVAM, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Amsterdam
1990 PhD in Social Psychology, University of Amsterdam.  Thesis on the Public and Social Acceptance of Wind Power (see cover above)
1994-1998 Associate professor Social Sciences and Environment. Interdisciplinary Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Spatial Sciences, University of Amsterdam
1999-2024 Associate Professor Environmental Geography. Department of Geography, Planning and International Development Studies, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences
2020-present Pricipal Investigator DebWo Independent Research, France

Some significant sideline positions outside the University of Amsterdam:

* MISTRAL External Board (Multi-sectoral approaches to Innovative Skills Training for Renewable energy And sociaL acceptance) PhD Training Network sponsored by the Marie-Sklodovska-Curie programm EU, lead by Queens University Belfast. From 2018-2023

* Leibniz Institut (Interdisciplinary Association of German Research Institutes). Project Advisory Board Leibniz Alliance on energy Transitions.
From 2017-2022

* NWO (Nederlandse organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek; the Netherlands Research Council): Member of the Board of ESR (Economic Social Research council) from 1994-1997.

* SWOME: Member of the Board from 1991-2008 (National platform of Social Science Researchers on Environmental and Energy).

* SENSE (Socio-Economic and Natural Sciences of the Environment; research school 7 Dutch universities) Research Program Board 1996-1998.

Key publications (with links to full text)

Maarten Wolsink (2024) Conceptualizations of smart grids – Anomalous and contradictory expert paradigms in transitions of the electricity system. Energy Research & Social Science, 109, 103392    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103392

Robison, R., Skjølsvold, T.M., Hargreaves, T. Renström, S., Wolsink, M., Judson, E., ….Wyckmans, A. (2023) Shifts in the smart research agenda? 100 priority questions to accelerate sustainable energy futures. Journal of Cleaner Production, 419, 137946 https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137946

Maarten Wolsink ( 2020) Framing in Renewable Energy Policies: A Glossary. Energies 13, art.nr. 2871.
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/11/2871

Maarten Wolsink (2020) Distributed energy systems as common goods: Socio-political acceptance of renewables in intelligent microgrids. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 127, 109841 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.109841

R. Robison, T.M. Skjolsvold, J. Lehne, E. Judson, V. Pechancova, C. Foulds, L. Bilous, C. Büscher, G. Carrus, S. Darby, M. Demirbag Kaplan, S. Douzou, M. Drevensek, B. Frantál, A. Guimarães Pereira, T. Hargreaves, A. Karvonen, C. Katzeff, M. Kola-Bezka, S. LaaksoG. Lettmayer, H. March, Y. Parag, A. Renstroem, F. Sáfián, M. Swora, L. Tjørring, E. van der Werff, B. van Vliet, G. Wallenborn, M. Wolsink, A. Wyckmans (2020) 100 Social Sciences and Humanities priority research questions for smart consumption in Horizon Europe. Energy Shifts research questions reports

Maarten Wolsink (2019) Social acceptance, lost objects, and obsession with the ‘public’—The pressing need for enhanced conceptual and methodological rigor. Energy Research & Social Science 48, 269-276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.12.006

Maarten Wolsink (2018) Social acceptance revisited: gaps, questionable trends, and an auspicious perspective. Energy Research & Social Science 46, 287-295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2018.07.034

Maarten Wolsink (2018) Co-production in distributed generation: renewable energy and creating space for fitting infrastructure within landscapes. Landscape Research 43, 4, 542-561. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01426397.2017.1358360

Maarten Wolsink (2016) Environmental education excursions and proximity to urban green space – densification in a ‘compact city’. Environmental Education Research, 22, 7, 1049-1071. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2015.1077504

Maarten Wolsink (2016) ‘Sustainable City’ requires ‘recognition’—The example of environmental education under pressure from the compact city. Land Use Policy, 52, 174-180. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837715004159

Maaten Wolsink (2014) Distributed Generation of Sustainable Energy as a Common Pool Resource: Social Acceptance in Rural Setting of Smart (Micro-)grid Configurations. In B. Frantál & S. Martinát (Eds.) New Rural Spaces. Towards Renewable Energies, Multifunctional Farming, and Sustainable Tourism. (pp. 36-47) Brno: UGN Academy of Sciences Czech Republic. http://dare.uva.nl/record/1/429149

Maarten Wolsink (2013). Wind Power : Basic Challenge Concerning Social Acceptance. In L.Y. Kaltschmitt, M., N.J. Themelis, L.Y. Bronicki, L. Söder & L.A. Vega (Eds.), Renewable Energy Systems (pp. 1785-1821). New York: Springer. [go to publisher site]

Maarten Wolsink (2013). The next phase in social acceptance of renewable innovation. EDI Quarterly, 5(1), 10-13. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink (2013). Fair Distribution of Power Generating Capacity: Justice, Microgrids and Utilizing the Common Pool of Renewable Energy. In: K Bickerstaff, G Walker & H Bulkeley (Eds.), Energy Justice in a Changing Climate. Social equity and low-carbon energy (pp. 116-138). London / New York: Zed Books. Series “Just Sustainabilities: Policy, Planning, and Practice” #2 FullText

Maarten Wolsink (2013). Acceptation sociale de l’innovation en matière d’énergie renouvelable: en quoi l’offshore est-il différent? In G. Gueguen-Hallouët & H. Levrel (Eds.), Energies marines renouvelables: enjeux juridiques en socio-économiques: actes du colloque de Brest, 11 et 12 octobre 2012 (pp. 215-238). Paris: A. Pedone. [go to publisher's site] FullText

Maaten Wolsink (2012). Undesired reinforcement of harmful 'self-evident truths' concerning the implementation of wind power. Energy Policy, 48, 83-87.

Maarten Wolsink (2012). The research agenda on social acceptance of distributed generation in smart grids: renewable as common pool resources. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 16(1), 822-835.

Maarten Wolsink (2012). Wind power: basic challenge concerning social acceptance. In R.A. Meyers (Ed.), Encyclopedia of sustainability science and technology. - Volume 17 (Springer Reference) (pp. 12218-12254). New York: Springer. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink (2011). Discourses on the implementation of wind power: stakeholder views on public engagement. In P. Devine-Wright (Ed.), Renewable energy and the public: from NIMBY to participation (pp. 75-87). London: Earthscan. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309735819_Discourses_on_the_Implementation_of_Wind_Power_Stakeholder_Views_on_Public_Engagement

Maarten Wolsink (2011). De homo economicus onder stroom: energie-opwekking en -gebruik in smart grids. In S. Pront-van Bommel (Ed.), De consument en de andere kant van de elektriciteitsmarkt: inleidingen op het openingscongres van het Centrum voor Energievraagstukken Universiteit van Amsterdam op 27 januari 2010 (pp. 136-166). Amsterdam: Universiteit van Amsterdam, Centrum voor Energievraagstukken.

Maarten Wolsink (2010). Contested environmental policy infrastructure: socio-political acceptance of renewable energy, water, and waste facilities. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 30(5), 302-311. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink (2010). Near-shore wind power - protected seascapes, environmentalists' attitudes, and the technocratic planning perspective. Land Use Policy, 27(2), 195-203. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink & Sylvia Breukers (2010). Contrasting the core beliefs regarding the effective implementation of wind power: an international study of stakeholder perspectives. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 53(5), 535-558.

Jochem de Vries & Maarten Wolsink (2009). Making space for water: spatial planning and water management in the Netherlands. In S. Davoudi, J. Crawford & A. Mehmood (Eds.), Planning for climate change: strategies for mitigation and adaptation for spatial planners (pp. 191-204). London: Earthscan. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/254915928_Making_space_for_water_spatial_planning_and_water_management_in_the_Netherlands

Maarten Wolsink & Jeroen L.A. Devilee (2009). The motives for accepting or rejecting waste infrastructure facilities: shifting the focus from the planners’ perspective to fairness and community commitment. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 52(2), 217-236. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink (2009). Planning: problem "Carrier" or problem "Source"? Planning Theory & Practice, 10(4), 539-543. Full text of all articles in the issue

Maarten Wolsink (2008). Vernieuwbare energie. In T. Dietz, F. den Hertog & H. van der Wusten (Eds.), Van natuurlandschap tot risicomaatschappij: de geografie van de relatie tussen mens en milieu (pp. 111-117). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.

David Toke, Sylvia Breukers & Maarten Wolsink (2008). Wind power deployment outcomes: How can we account for the differences? Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 12(4), 1129-1147.

Rolf Wüstenhagen, Maarten Wolsink & Mary-Jean Bürer (2007). Social acceptance of renewable energy innovation: An introduction to the concept. Energy Policy, 35(5), 2683-2691.

Maarten Wolsink (2007). Planning of renewables schemes. Deliberative and fair decision-making on landscape issues instead of reproachful accusations of non-cooperation. Energy Policy, 35(5), 2692-2704.

Sylvia Breukers & Maarten Wolsink (2007). Wind power implementation in changing institutional landscapes: An international comparison. Energy Policy, 35(5), 2737-2750.

Maarten Wolsink (2007). Wind power implementation: The nature of public attitudes: Equity and fairness instead of ‘backyard motives’. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11(6), 1188-1207.

Sylvia Breukers & Maarten Wolsink (2007). Wind energy policies in the Netherlands: Institutional capacity-building for ecological modernization. Environmental Politics, 16(1), 92-112.

Maarten Wolsink (2006). River basin approach and integrated water management: Governance pitfalls for the Dutch Space-Water-Adjustment Management Principle. Geoforum, 37(4), 473-487.

Maarten Wolsink (2006). Invalid theory impedes our understanding: A critique on the persistence of the language of NIMBY. Transactions - Institute of British Geographers, 31(1), 85-91.

Maarten Wolsink (2004). Policy beliefs in spatial decisions: Contrasting core beliefs concerning space making for waste infrastructure. Urban Studies, 41(13), 2669-2690. Full text

Maarten Wolsink (2003). Reshaping the Dutch planning system: A learning process? Environment and Planning A, 35, 705-723. Full text

Maarten Wolsink (2003). Utilities as tools for shaping the city: waste management and power supply. In S. Musterd & W. Salet (Eds.), Amsterdam human capital (pp. 143-161). Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink (2003). The planning system and its impact on sustainable urban form and energy demand. In S. Attali, E. Métreau, M. Prône & K. Tillerson (Eds.), Time to turn down energy demand: energy intelligent solutions for climate, security and sustainable development: ECEEE 2003 Summer Study proceedings (pp. 575-586). Stockholm: European Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink (2002). Der "Infrastrukturansatz" und der Versuch zur Neugestaltung des Niederländischen Planungssystems. Planungsrundschau, 6, 42-67. Planungsrundschau_Wolsink_Infrastructuransatz

Sara Carvalho & Maarten Wolsink (2001). Instrumentos da política de redução de resíduos: a experiência holandesa. Indústria e Ambiente, 22, 10-17. [go to publisher's site]

Paulien de Jong & Maarten Wolsink (2001). The Structure of the Dutch Waste Sector and Impediments for Waste Reduction. In J.C. Powell, R.K Turner & I.J. Bateman (Eds.), Waste Management and Planning (pp. 397-414). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Maarten Wolsink & Klaus Wortmann (2001). Further than ever from Kyoto? Rethinking energy efficiency can get us there. Dynamics of consumption. Paris: ECEEE/ADEME.

Klaus Wortmann & Maarten Wolsink (2001). Dynamics of consumption and the need for an institutional perspective. In M. Wolsink & K. Wortmann (Eds.), Further than ever from Kyoto? Rethinking energy efficiency can get us there: Dynamics of consumption (pp. 274-278). Paris: ECEEE/ADEME.

Maarten Wolsink & Pauline de Jong (2001). Waste Sector Structure: Institutional Capacity for Planning Waste Reduction. Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, 92(2), 148-163.

Maarten Wolsink (2000). Learning in environmental policy: the obstinacy of policy beliefs and other structural impediments. In A. Gijswijt & F. Buttel (Eds.), Sociological Theory and the Environment, partII Cultural and Social Constructivism (pp. 223-228). Amsterdam: SISWO.

Maarten Wolsink (2000). Wind power and the NIMBY-myth. Institutional capacity and the limited significance of public support. Renewable Energy, 21(1), 49-64.

Paulien T. de Jong & Maarten Wolsink (1999). Afvalreductie en de structuur van afvalsectoren; lessen uit het buitenland. Milieu: tijdschrift voor milieukunde, 14(1), 11-23.

Egbert Tellegen & Maarten Wolsink (1998). Society and its Environment. An Introduction. Reading, UK: Gordon and Breach Publishers.

Paulien de Jong & Maarten Wolsink (1997). The structure of the Dutch waste sector and impediments for waste reduction. Waste Management & Research, 15(6), 641-658. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink (1996). Dutch wind power policy. Stagnating implementation of renewables. Energy Policy, 24(12), 1097-1088. Full text

Ehbert Tellegen, Paulien T. de Jong, Stephan Slingerland, Sacha Wijmer & Maarten Wolsink (1996). Nutsbedrijven en de beperking van het huishoudelijk milieugebruik in Nederland. Amsterdams Sociologisch Tijdschrift, 23(1), 218-241. http://rjh.ub.rug.nl/ast/article/view/23764
M. Wolsink (1995). Natuur en milieu uit de eerste hand [Review of the book -]. Jeugd en Samenleving, 25(8), 501-503. Full text

Maarten Wolsink (1995). Grote projekten: een wrr-advies over betere besluitvorming. Milieu: tijdschrift voor milieukunde, 10(2), 72-78. Full text copy

Margo Jonk & Maarten Wolsink (2003). De wijk naar het winterbed. Risicobeleving rond woningbouw in de bedding van de Maas. In M. Wolsink & M. Baumeister (Eds.), Van nijlpaard tot Maasbedding. Verscheidenheid en samenhang in de milieugeografie (pp. 121-145). Utrecht: Jan van Arkel.

Maarten Wolsink & Michael Baumeister (Eds.). (2003). Van nijlpaard tot Maasbedding. Verscheidenheid en samenhang in de milieugeografie. Utrecht: Jan van Arkel.

Maarten Wolsink & Michael Baumeister (2003). Verscheidenheid binnen een Amsterdams milieu. In M. Wolsink & M. Baumeister (Eds.), Van nijlpaard tot Maasbedding. Verscheidenheid en samenhang in de milieugeografie (pp. 11-28). Utrecht: Jan van Arkel.

Maarten Wolsink & Leo A. de Klerk (2002). Kwaliteit van de leefomgeving. Modernisering en de verdeling van de ruimte. In H. Knippenberg & M. van Schendelen (Eds.), Alles heeft zijn plaats: 125 jaar geografie en planologie aan de Universiteit van Amsterdam, 1877-2002 (pp. 377-398). Amsterdam: Aksant. Full text copy

Maarten Wolsink (2000). Ontwikkeling van burgerzin? De gevaren van NME als instrument voor gedragsverandering. In D.J. Joustra (Ed.), NME met een duurzaam perspectief; Essaybundel Extra impuls Natuur en milieueducatie 1996-1999 (pp. 30-33). Amsterdam: Nat. Comm. voor intern. samenwerking en Duurzame Ontw..

Paulien de Jong and Maarten Wolsink (1997). The Structure of the Dutch Waste Sector and Impediments for Waste Reduction. Waste Management & Research 14 (6) 641-658. full text.

Maarten Wolsink (1997). New experimental electricity tariff systems for household end use. In Sustainable energy opportunities for a greater Europe: the energy efficiency challenge for Europe: proceedings of the 1997 ECEEE summer study 9-14 june 1997, Spindleruv Mlýn, Czech Republic (pp. 54/1-54/14). København: Energistyrelsen. [go to publisher's site]

Maarten Wolsink (1996). Het NIMBY-denken: eindpunt of startpunt van een leerpeoces. In R. van Est, H. van der Graaf & J. Eberg (Eds.), Leren met beleid. Beleidsverandering en beleidsgericht leren bij NIMBY, milieu- en technologiebeleid (pp. 19-40). Amsterdam: Het Spinhuis.

Maarten Wolsink (1996). Dutch Wind Power Policy. Stagnating Implementation of Renewables. Energy Policy 24 (12) 1079-1088. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-4215(97)80002-5

M. Wolsink (1996). Resultater af EF-undersogelsen (Annoyance from windturbine noise on sixteen locations in three countries. In T.H. Pedersen (Ed.), Genevirkning af stoj fra vindm?ller (pp. A6 1-A6 5). Lyngby (Dk): Delta Akustik & Vibration. Lydteknisk Institut. full text

Paulien T. de Jong & Maarten Wolsink (1995). Waste reduction and the structure of the Dutch waste sector. In R.S.A.R. van Rompaey, M.T.J. Kok, S. Zwerver & M.M. Berk (Eds.), Climate change research: evaluation and policy implications (pp. 1105-1108). Amsterdam: Elsevier Science.

Maarten Wolsink (1995). Policy failure in the introduction of renewable energy; wind power in the Netherlands. In A. Persson (Ed.), Sustainability and the Reinvention of Government - A challenge for Energy Efficiency. Part II (pp. 103-114). Stockholm: European Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

M. Wolsink (1994). Entanglement of interests and motives: assumptions behind the 'nimby-theory' on facility siting. Urban Studies 31 (6) 851-866. [full text ResearchGate]

M. Wolsink (1993) Milieuproblemen - Houdingen en gedrag van jongeren. Jeugd en Samenleving 23 (12) 637-650. full text.

M. Wolsink (1993) De veronderstelloingen achter het nimby-beleid. Beleid & Maatschappij 20 (3), 143-152. full text.

M. Wolsink & M. Sprengers (1993) Windtubine noise: a new environmental threat? in M. Vallet (Ed.) (ed.) Noise as a public health problem, Vol.2,. INRETS, Bron (France). pp. 235-238 full text WindTubine Noise

M. Wolsink (1989) Attitudes and expectancies about wind turbines and wind farms. Wind Engineering 13 (4), 196-206 Full text Wind Engineering

M. Wolsink (1988) The social impact of a large wind turbine. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 8 (4) 223-334.  Full text EIARev

M. Wolsink (1987) Wind power for the electricity supply of houses. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 2 (3) 195-214 . Full text Jstor

M. Wolsink (1987) Kernenergie in de publieke opinie na Tsjernobyl.  Milieu 2 (4)  133-138.  Full text

Institutions defining social acceptance of renewables' innovation

Innovation - A change of ideas, that becomes manifest in products, processes, or organizations, that are applied successfully in practice.
An energy supply and consumption system containing a substantial part of power generated with renwable sources should be considered a new socio-technical system (STS). This is a system with new scientific and technological as well as socio-economic and organizational components, which is reflecting new ideas and concepts on the proffered design of such new systems. For any innovation the linkages between these both components, must be addressed. The development of innovations and their implementation requires favourable institutional conditions and extensive social learning. This also holds for renewables. All aspects of a new STS featuring a substantial amount of renewable energy are subject to social acceptance: any actor may accept certainaspects, while simultaneouslyrejecting other aspects, as a result of social, economic, and/or political learning processes.

Problematic in innovation are so-called institutional "lock-in's". Most barriers to innovation can be brought down to such lock-in's that exist because the current institutions (the way society is organizedand stuctured) are not fit for the new developments and ideas. The existing structure is based on historic developments ("path-dependency") an an example of such historic developments in the energy and wastsectors can be found in the 2003 chapter "Utilities as Tools for Shaping the City".
Institutions - Existing patterns of behaviour and thinking,determined by existing societal rules; "the rules of the game in a society".
The acceptance of innovation requires new patterns in thinking and behaviour of all different types of actors. This is institutional change, and therefore the support orresistance tothese institutional  changes is the fundamental factor in social acceptance. Some examples of institutions are (among others):
- theorganizationand dominant ways of thinkingin the energy sector;
- the ways of thinking among developers and authorities about decision-making about investing and building renewables (e.g. J Env Plann Management 2010);
-the persistence of the interpretation of problems in community acceptance in terms 'backyard' protection (e.g. RenewSustEnergyRev 2007).
This latter pattern of thinking,which implies also a rigid idea about nimby-ism, has as such becomea major impediment for renewables implementation (also see 'environmental conflict' below). The truth is that debates about for example windturbines are debates about landscape, not primarily about energy (e.g. Land Use Policy 2010; Energ Policy 2007). Furthermore, they concern all kinds of variables that are associated with local and community identity, and with community involvement in decision making as wellas the energy schemes themselves. 

Environmentalconflict and infrastructure decision making

Research on the genuine reasons for objecting and/or supporting renewable energy as well as support or resistance to concrete schemes, had a spin-off of studies in environmental conflict in infrastructure decision-making. In EIA Review 2010 you can find a recent comparison of renewable energy, waste, and water infrastructure. This research line concerns the original criticisms of nimby-thinking (Urban Studies 1994) as well as more recent criticisms (Transactions IBG 2006). Furthermore, empirical research on energy and waste infrastructure.
Important in the empirical research is the development of a reliable "nimby scale" (a set reliable set of items measuring an acceptance-rejection position based on the theoretical references to the backyard).  Interesting is in particular that this scale reveals that if there is an inclination to reject this is not reflecting the pre-supposed egitist nature of residents to 'protect ones turf' (as hypotheticallyproclaimed by Dear 1992). It rather indicates a commitment to other closely related others and it is more a community values scale. In fact any reference of residents to the 'backyard' isassociated with feelings about equity and perceived fairness of process (J EnvPlann Man 2009). Meanwhile, the ways of decision making are again linked to very specific institutionalized patterns of thinking, as shown in studies that apply the special method of Q-sort. Examples of this: on waste infrastructure  Urban Studies 2004; on international comparison of beliefs among actors involvend in windpower implementation: Wolsink and Breukers, J of Env Plann Man 2010).

A base lineis that the procliamed environmental benefits of inrastructure is not taken for granted. The claims, for example about new energy infrastructure, among policy makers and developers can be criticizedfor very good reasons. This applies for example for Carbon Sequestration (CCS; not exactly an innovation, but an effort to continue coal base power generation) or 'shale-gas fracking' (high environmental impact and also an effort to continue natural gas based energy supply). Obviously, most forms of biomass or biofuels can also be criticized for very good reasons. See for example the brief overview on renewables ("vernieuwbare energie") in the Dutch text below.

Invited Lectures and Keynotes (since 2008)

• The rapidly shifting objects of processes of social acceptance of renewables' innovation. Opening talk conference of 'MISTRAL', Multi-Sectoral Approaches to Innovative Skills Training for Renewable Energy and Social Acceptance. Northern Ireland Parliament Building, Stormont, Belfast. 12 September 2019.
• Co-production for Establishing Distributed Energy Systems - Polycentric regimes facilitating intelligent microgrids.Invited lecture Université Paris-Est, Marne-la-Vallée,5th April 2019
• Non-hierarchic polycentric regimes facilitating intelligent Distributed Energy systems – The CPR nature of renewables.
  “Local communities and Social Innovation for the Energy Transition” Workshop EC Joint Research Centre, Ispra, 22-23 November 2018.
  https://e3p.jrc.ec.europa.eu/events/workshop-local-communities-and-social-innovation-energy-transition

• Breaking the Rules – Energy Transitions as Social Innovations. Leibnitz association Conference June 14th-15th, 2018 at WZB Berlin Social Science Center ; keynote: "Renewables: common pool natural resources ‒ distributed generation in intelligent grids" www.researchgate.net/publication/325929457_Renewables_common_pool_natural_resources_-_distributed_generation_in_intelligent_grids

• OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. Workshop on stakeholder involvement in Nuclear Decision-Making. Paris (F) 17-19 January 2017. Introduction session "Stakeholder invovement on 'other sectors'" and presentation Common misconceptions on stakeholder involvement - Reviewing deployment of RES"" . https://www.oecd-nea.org/civil/workshops/stakeholder-involve2017/presentations/7a_Maarten_Wolsink.pdf & https://www.oecd-nea.org/civil/workshops/stakeholder-involve2017/presentations/7d_Maarten_Wolsink.pdf

• Energy Landscapes Perception, Planning, Participation and Power, Dresden (D) 16-18 September 2015. Keynote 17 September Participation as co-production — Inevitable Community Involvement in Distributed Generation in Micro-Grids.  https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Maarten_Wolsink DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1056.3282

• ‘Sharing Futures’ Summer School: Interdisciplinarity and intergenerationality in planning sustainable urban environments
  24-26th August 2015. University of Birmingham, Edgbaston. Institutional Conditions for Microgrids: Social Acceptance of Integrating Distributed Generation and Land Use Required for the Infrastructure.

• Conference “Controversy over Energy Technologies: What Shapes Community Acceptance of Wind Power?” 24 October 2014. Danish Technical University, DTU Management Engineering; Lyngby (DK) Integration of renewables supply and demand; social acceptance of crucial smarts grid elements ─ Scale Conflicts about Distributed Generation. http://podcast.llab.dtu.dk/feeds/what-shapes-community-acceptance-of-wind-power/

• KlimaCampus Hamburg 22 May 2014, KlimaCampus Colloquium Invited Lecture. Universitat Hamburg.
  Scale Conflicts in Renewables’ Deployment ─ Distributed Generation as a Common Pool Resource. https://www.clisap.de/fileadmin/A-CliSAP/A2-Organization/A2.2-Documents/Abstract_Maarten_Wolsink_22-05.pdf

• Rooilijn Kenniskring “Baas over eigen energievoorziening” 16 juni 2014. Mini-college Vernieuwbare energie in ‘smart grids’ ─ ‘Distributed Generation’ als gemeenschappelijke hulpbron.
• Keynote presentation CWE2013 Conference on Wind Power and Environmental Impacts.  "A further elaboration of social acceptance of renewables' innovation" Vindfall. Stockholm, Sweden 5-7 February 2013. DOI: 10.13140/2.1.4373.3449  www.naturvardsverket.se/CWE2013/Keynote-presentation-Maarten-Wolsink/ (or see link below)

• NWEA; Nederlandse Wind Energie Associatie. Winddag 14 juni 2013, Ossendrecht. Maatschappelijke acceptatie van vernieuwbare energie-innovaties. Voorbij wind als project, naar geintegreerde energievoorziening.

• Sea Tech week 'MERIFIC' workshop 'Marine energy for 2 peripheral areas: Finistère and Cornwall. Brest (D) Les Énergies Marines Renouvelables pour les territoires îliens et périfériques. 11 Octobre 2012.

• L'Energia Spigata. Festival dell'Energia.15-17-06-2012. Perugia, Italia.
  Distributed Generation with Renewables - Social Acceptance of Smart Micro-Grid Configurations. 15June 2012.
• Les énergies marines renouvelables: enjeux économiques et juridiques. Brest (F) Social Acceptance: Institutional Conditions for Wind Power, from Onshore to Offshore Schemes. 10 Octobre 2012
• ESRC- Interdiciplinary Cluster on Energy Systems, Equity, and Vulnerability. (INCLUESEV). Conference "Energy justice in a changing climate: defining an agenda". London, November 10th and 11th 2011.
  The role of self-governance in the social construction of smart grids - How does extended community renewable energy implementation in resilient microgrids relate to equity and fairness?
• TNO symposium "Verduurzaming van de energie-infrastructuur. Macro-aspecten van het Nederlandse energiesysteem" Uden, 27 Juni 2011.
  Maatschappelijke acceptatie van energiesytemen. De cruciale rol van instituties.
• Universität Karlsruhe, Institute of Technology. " Mobility Infrastructures and Spatial Conflicts" 17 December 2010, Karlsruhe
  Contrasting Core Beliefs: Environmental Conflict about Infrastructure Decisions.
• Academy of Sciences Czech Republic, Brno Institute of Geonics. Invited lecture series 'New rural spaces: conflicts, opportunities and challenges'.  4 June 2010.
  Distributed generation of sustainable energy as a common pool resource: Social acceptance of smart (micro-)grid configurations.
• Centrum voor Energievraagstukken,Universiteit van Amsterdam. Inleiding Masterclass "Smart Grids" 29 april 2010. Eigendom, controle en zeggenschap in de ruimtevraag voor "Distributed Generation in Smart Grids".
• ProjectManagementBureau gemeente Amsterdam. "Continuebedrijf Amsterdam". Excursie.  3 september 2010.
  Inleiding: Wat is afval?
• Centrum voor Energievraagstukken, Universiteit van Amsterdam. Symposium ter gelegenheid van de opening van het Centrum, 27 januari 2010.
  De homo economicus onder stroom; energieopwekking en -gebruik in 'smart grids'.
• University of StAndrews , Scotland. Economic and Social Research Council "Seminar on Wind Power", 6 May 2009.
  Socio-political acceptance: facilitating market and community acceptance instead of grand designs for wind power.
• Alliander Oprichtingsconferentie Verduurzaming van de Energie-Infrastructuur, Zutphen, 24 juni 2009.
  Vernieuwbare energie innovaties.
• Queens University Belfast, Invited lecture Economic and Social Research Council Seminar 'Wind Power and the Planning Problem', 4 November 2008.
  Socio-political acceptance of wind power implementation: Beyond the limited focus on 'public acceptance'.
• Helsinki University of Technology. Key note conference 'Environmental Conflict Mediation and Social Impact Assessment: Approaches for Enhanced Environmental Governance?'   Helsinki 14th-15 February 2008.
  Social Acceptance of Contested Environmental Policy Infrastucture. A Comparison of Renewable Energy, Water Management and Waste Management.
• SenterNovem. Novemdag Windenergie, 30 oktober 2008.
  Maatschappelijke acceptatie van windenergie,of van windenergieprojecten?

PhD's

Maarten Wolsink was promotor for the admittance to the degree of doctor of several PhD's:

• Nadav Haran: The power to collaborate. How judicious useof poweraccelerates the strategiccapacity of regions in the Netherlands. University of Amsterdam, 10 March2010. Promotores: Willem Salet & Maarten Wolsink (Habiforum, grant Willem Salet)
• Sylvia C. Breukers: Changing institutionallandscapes for implementingwind power. A geographical comparison of institutional capacity building. University of Amsterdam, 31 Januari 2007; Promotores: Maarten Wolsink, Ton Dietz (NWO Open Competition MaGW; grant Maarten Wolsink).
• Jeroen L.A. Devilee: Decision-making aboutwaste facilities. Analysis ofreaction of local residents in a risk society.Univers ity of Amsterdam, 27 February, 2002. Promotores Maarten Wolsink & Roel Meertens (NWO Open competition MaGW (ESR); grant MaartenWolsink]
• Nanda G.E. van Baren: Planhiërarchische oplossingen: een bron voor maatschappelijk verzet. University of Amsterdam 9 October 2001. Promotores: Maarten Wolsink, Rob Hoppe (TUTwente) (NWO Open competition MaGW (ESR); grant Maarten Wolsink).
• Paulien deJong: Organizing waste reduction in the Dutch waste sector. University of Amsterdam 25 November 1999. Promotores: MaartenWolsink & Egbert Tellegen (NOP Climate Change grant M.Wolsink, E.Tellegen).
• Stephan Slingerland: Energy Conservation and Electricity Sector Liberalization. University of Amsterdam,10 November 1999. Promoteres: Egbert Tellegen & MaartenWolsink (University funding).

Maarten Wolsink was External PhD Reviewer or a member of the PhD Thesis Committee and viva - opposition:

• Paula Hansen: Conceptual Foundations for the Governance of Shared Solar Energy Resources. Curtin University, Perth, Australia. 18 August 2020.  https://espace.curtin.edu.au/handle/20.500.11937/81778. Pr.Greg Morrison, Atiq Zaman.
• Sanne Akerboom: Between public participation and energy transition: the case of wind farms. University of Amsterdam (Fuculty of Law); 25 October 2018. Pr. Annelies Huygen, Henk Addink.
• Genevieve Simpson: Analysing social acceptance of renewable energy policy in Australia: Community, industry and governmnet perceptions of residential solar energy. University of Western Australia, Crawley WA. February 2017. Pr. Julian Clifton
• Neil David Simcock: Imposition or "the will of the people"? Procedural justice in the implementation of community wind energy projects. Lancaster University (UK) 26 November 2012. Pr. G.Walker, S.Vermeylen.
• Jingyi Han: Renewable energy development in China: Policies, practices and performance. Wageningen University, 8 December 2009. Pr: A.P.J.Mol.
• Susanne Agterbosch: Empowering wind power.On social and institutional conditions affecting theperformance of entrepreneurs in the wind power supplymarket in the Netherlands. Netherlands Geographical Studies 351. Utrecht University, 27 November 2006. Pr:P.Glasbergen, R.M. Meertens, W.J.V. Vermeulen
• Sander vandenBurg: Governance through Information; Environmental monitoring from a citizen-consumer perspective.   Wageningen University. 18 April 2006. Pr: A.P.J.Mol, G.Spaargaren.
• Bas van Vliet: Greening the Grid. The ecological modernisation of network-bound systems.Wageningen University, 22 March 2002. Pr. G. Spaargaren, A.P.J. Mol.
• Nijs Lagerweij: Milieugedrag bij kinderen. Ontwikkeling van een instrument voor hetmeten van milieugedrag.Universiteit van Amsterdam, 28 November 1995. Pr: P.G.Swanborn.
• Gea van Oortmarssen: Beïnvloeding van het tijdstip van elektriciteitsgebuikdoor huishoudens. Universiteit van Amsterdam, 3 December 1991. Pr: E.Tellegen, R.Meertens (NWO proposal written by M.Wolsink)

Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Innovation

Rolf Wüstenhagen, Maarten Wolsink, MaryJean Bürer

Special Issue Energy Policy, 2007, with the highest impact of all SI's in this jounal ever. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03014215/35/5?sdc=1

Twelve papers, among those 7 with very high impact In particular the lead paper by Wustenhagen, Wolsink, Burer (elaboration of the concept of Social Acceptance of energy innovation), Gross (on justice and community fairness), Wolsink (Deliberate and fair decision making on landscape issues), Van der Horst (relevance of location in siting controversies), Jobert, Laborgne and Mimler (Comparison of local acceptance of wind projects in Germany and France), Breukers and Wolsink (Institutional coparison of 3 international cases), and Sauter and Watson (deployment of micro-generation, in particular PV).

Social Acceptance of Wind Power

Thesis Publishers, Amsterdam 1990.

(Maatschappelijke acceptatie van windenergie; also published as PhD-thesis; University of Amsterdam).

Society and its Environment - An introduction

by Egbert Tellegen & Maarten Wolsink

Routledge, 2006.

(1st Ed. published by Gordon & Breach/OPA, 1998)

Mileu en Samenlaving. Een sociologsiche inleiding.

Egbert Tellegen en Maarten Wolsink

Stenfert Kroese, Leiden, 1992.

Ruimte voor Milieu

Natacha Bakker, Ton Dietz, Maarten Wolsink (red.) Ruimte voor Milieu. Jan van Arkel, 2007.

Van Nijlpaard tot Maasbedding. Verscheidenheid en samenhang in de milieugeografie.

Maarten Wolsink & Michael Baumeister (Eds.)

Jan Van Arkel.