Beyond the Technology: Public Perception of Ammonia Energy Technologies

Although technological development has been focused on achieving more reliable, efficient and safe energy vectors, social sciences studies have been analysing the role of public attitudes to these developments in order to secure a future for zero-carbon alternatives. Public perception is a key element for the transition to renewable energies. These technologies can offer many benefits for both people and the environment, but if people are not willing to accept a new technology, then the development might be threatened. For this reason, it is fundamental to understand people’s beliefs and attitudes at any stage of the technological process. In addition, for upstream technologies like ammonia, where its effectiveness, cost and risks are uncertain, public perception studies can highlight ethical and value issues people consider important. Therefore, this chapter is focused on the importance of understanding these complex interactions between public and the development of new energy alternative technologies, specifically ammonia as energy vector. The chapter discusses the importance of examining public acceptance of new energy technologies. It then concludes with a case study focused on ammonia-based technologies, providing the foundations for the recognition of public perceptions around the subject, enabling future groups to consider the findings throughout the development of new technologies fuelled by NH₃.