Environmental psychology

The Environmental Psychology research field focuses on understanding how people think, feel, and act within human-environment-technology systems — both on an individual level and within organizational and institutional contexts. National and international research projects address environmental psychology and social science questions through inter- and transdisciplinary approaches.

A crucial success factor for both the energy transition — in the sense of transforming the energy system — and for broader sustainability transformation processes is the active acceptance of the population — that is, by users and involved stakeholders. The research projects examine the psychological and social science aspects of energy generation and consumption to identify new pathways and recommendations for a sustainable and socially acceptable transformation of the energy system.

Taking a systemic perspective, the team uses a broad, object-oriented range of methods and analyses to access both qualitative and quantitative dimensions of various research topics. This allows them to describe target systems, explain transformation processes, and develop action models. Projects employ methods such as:

• Standardized surveys across national study regions

• Qualitative interviews

• Quasi-experimental designs

• Participatory approaches — to exchange perspectives, share experiences, and explore potential solutions collaboratively

Research Interests

The research interests in environmental psychology are diverse, with particular focus on:

• Acceptance research regarding energy technologies, such as wind energy, biogas plants, photovoltaic (PV) ground-mounted systems, and grid expansion at transmission and distribution levels

• Conflict analysis and mediation in planning and approval processes

• Psychological factors of sustainable mobility — for example, in the context of electric mobility

• Behavioral and user-related aspects of efficient and sustainable energy and resource use across different system levels (individuals, organizations, buildings, urban development)

• Support of systemic and institutional transformation processes — such as sustainable urban planning, participatory development and implementation of climate protection strategies, and energy-sustainable communities

• Design, facilitation, and evaluation of formal and informal participation processes

Project References

The Environmental Psychology Research Group (FG-UPSY) at Saarland University has contributed to numerous national and international projects, including:

• “Klima-Citoyen” — New roles, opportunities, and responsibilities of citizens in the transformation of the energy system (BMBF, 2013–2016)

• “Energiemustercampus UdS” (EULE) — Property-wide energy consumption optimization at Saarland University (BMWi, 2012–2017)

• “Qualifying Alternative Comparisons” — to accelerate and increase acceptance of grid planning (BMWi, 2012–2014)

• “MDE4” — Energy-efficient city of Magdeburg: Model city for renewable energy (BMBF, 2008–2016)

• “Social science support for the Bioenergy Region Altmark” (BMELV, 2009–2012)

• “Image analysis and change in perception of biogas technology” (BMU, 2009–2011)

• “Support of the National Climate Protection Initiative” — Active acceptance of climate protection measures (BMU, 2009–2012)

• “Harz. Renewable Energy Mobility” — Linking electromobility and renewable energy via smart grids (BMWi/BMU, 2009–2011)

• “Socio-behavioral aspects of biofuel production and use” (BMU, 2009–2011)

• “BestEnergy” — Built Environment Sustainability and Technology in Energy (EU ICT PSP, 2009–2012)

• “FinSH” — Financial and Support Instruments for Fuel Poverty in Social Housing (EU Intelligent Energy Europe, 2007–2010)

• “Perception and evaluation of participation processes” — Case studies in Wahle (Lower Saxony) and Mecklar (Hesse) regarding grid expansion (BMU/DUH, 2010)

• “Environmental psychological study of wind turbines along highways” — Acceptance analysis among drivers (BMU/Bosch & Partner GmbH, 2008)

• “Overcoming Non-Technological Barriers for Biodiesel Use in Europe” (EU, 2006–2007)

• “MINI E Berlin powered by Vattenfall” — Analysis of environmental awareness, renewable energy, public charging stations, and managed electric vehicle charging (BMW/TU Chemnitz, 2009–2011)

• “Activity and participation” — Increasing acceptance of renewable energy through public involvement (BMU, 2008–2010)

• “Acceptance of renewable energy and social science questions” (BMU, 2005–2008)