Public Abstract

DE-SC0025462: Establishing a Socio-Technical Observatory for Public Feedback into the Development of Fusion Energy Technologies

Award Status: Active

Institution: Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
UEI: EVTSTTLCEWS5
DUNS: 848348348

Most Recent Award Date: 09/19/2024
Number of Support Periods: 1
PM: Shaw, Guinevere

Current Budget Period: 09/01/2024 - 08/31/2025
Current Project Period: 09/01/2024 - 08/31/2028
PI: Jenkins-Smith, Hank

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Establishing a Socio-Technical Observatory for Public Feedback into the Development of Fusion Energy Technologies Hank Jenkins-Smith, University of Oklahoma (Principal Investigator) Kuhika Gupta, University of Oklahoma (Co-Investigator) Joseph Ripberger, University of Oklahoma (Co-Investigator) Horst Hahn, University of Oklahoma (Co-Investigator) Abstract Fusion energy holds immense promise as a potential game-changer in the global energy landscape, offering a virtually limitless and clean energy source. While progress is being made to overcome technical challenges, failure to understand and address the social challenges to the development and adoption of fusion energy risks delay and increased costs. As experience with nuclear fission has demonstrated, public risk perceptions combined with distrust of developers, operators and regulators can undercut the potential of a technology. In the short term, broad social acceptance and support are necessary to sustain the levels of research, development, and public investment necessary to advance fusion technology. In the longer term, community-level acceptance and support will be necessary to construct and site fusion energy facilities across the country. Systematic and evidence-based research on public acceptance and support for fusion technology will act as a multiplier to our investments to overcome the technological challenges of fusion energy. In this project, researchers at the University of Oklahoma (OU) will collaborate with scientists and engineers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to create a Socio-Technical Observatory that will develop and deploy the systematic data collection and engagement mechanisms necessary to solicit and incorporate public feedback into the design and development of fusion energy technologies. Through the Observatory, the research team will: · Conduct comprehensive research to gauge public understanding, perceptions, and concerns regarding fusion energy technology. · Work with subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop communication strategies that clearly articulate the risks and benefits of hosting fusion energy facilities. · Outline a set of key principles and participatory processes that will enable sustainable engagement with communities that may choose to host fusion facilities in the future. · Create a transdisciplinary “collaboration hub” where project investigators, early-stage researchers, and students (including undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-docs) interact with scientists and engineers to co-produce new and innovative ideas that address the socio-technical challenges of fusion energy. The investigators will produce an interrelated set of outputs and outcomes, including regular publication of research data and fundings in in academic and industry journals, white papers and policy briefings that draw on research findings to outline how to engage the broader public in conversations about fusion energy technologies, and a suite of “user ready” communication materials that will help subject matter experts articulate the risks and benefits of hosting fusion energy facilities.

Establishing a Socio-Technical Observatory for Public Feedback into the Development of Fusion Energy Technologies

Hank Jenkins-Smith, University of Oklahoma (Principal Investigator)

Kuhika Gupta, University of Oklahoma (Co-Investigator)

Joseph Ripberger, University of Oklahoma (Co-Investigator)

Horst Hahn, University of Oklahoma (Co-Investigator)

Abstract

Fusion energy holds immense promise as a potential game-changer in the global energy landscape, offering a virtually limitless and clean energy source. While progress is being made to overcome technical challenges, failure to understand and address the social challenges to the development and adoption of fusion energy risks delay and increased costs. As experience with nuclear fission has demonstrated, public risk perceptions combined with distrust of developers, operators and regulators can undercut the potential of a technology. In the short term, broad social acceptance and support are necessary to sustain the levels of research, development, and public investment necessary to advance fusion technology. In the longer term, community-level acceptance and support will be necessary to construct and site fusion energy facilities across the country. Systematic and evidence-based research on public acceptance and support for fusion technology will act as a multiplier to our investments to overcome the technological challenges of fusion energy.

In this project, researchers at the University of Oklahoma (OU) will collaborate with scientists and engineers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to create a Socio-Technical Observatory that will develop and deploy the systematic data collection and engagement mechanisms necessary to solicit and incorporate public feedback into the design and development of fusion energy technologies. Through the Observatory, the research team will:

· Conduct comprehensive research to gauge public understanding, perceptions, and concerns regarding fusion energy technology.

· Work with subject matter experts (SMEs) to develop communication strategies that clearly articulate the risks and benefits of hosting fusion energy facilities.

· Outline a set of key principles and participatory processes that will enable sustainable engagement with communities that may choose to host fusion facilities in the future.

· Create a transdisciplinary “collaboration hub” where project investigators, early-stage researchers, and students (including undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-docs) interact with scientists and engineers to co-produce new and innovative ideas that address the socio-technical challenges of fusion energy.

The investigators will produce an interrelated set of outputs and outcomes, including regular publication of research data and fundings in in academic and industry journals, white papers and policy briefings that draw on research findings to outline how to engage the broader public in conversations about fusion energy technologies, and a suite of “user ready” communication materials that will help subject matter experts articulate the risks and benefits of hosting fusion energy facilities.