Introduction Social acceptance is an important issue shaping the development of renewable energy and the implementation of new technologies to achieve the EU energy policy targets for 2030 (new 2030 Framework for climate and energy): 30% rise in energy efficiency, 40% less greenhouses gas (GHG) emissions and 27% increase in energy generation from renewable sources. A lack of social acceptance can mean many barriers for achieving successful projects at the implementation level and the use of Decision Support System (DSS). The creation of good conditions for social acceptance on the renewable energies development can start from the administration of the citizens’ questionnaires. Through citizens’ questionnaires it is possible to collect information about need to act for social acceptance and compare them with the experts’ perceptions. The site-selection process for the development of renewable energy facilities (siting) and the choice of renewable energy technologies are considered as potential causes of conflict between citizens and decision makers. This kind of conflict can be defined as “green on green” conflict because the renewable energy development generates global environmental benefits but also potential negative local impacts on landscape and biodiversity conservation. In order to address these conflicts and to increase the social acceptance of the decision the possible solution is to use a participatory approach in the decision-making process. The first step of participatory process is the collection of preferences and perceptions of citizens about renewable energy technology and impacts of these renewable sources on services provided by natural ecosystems (“ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from the ecosystems” - Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005).

Material and methods The citizens’ preferences and perceptions concerning four renewable energy sources (solar photovoltaic power, wind power, hydropower, forest biomass) were collected and analyzed in the Gesso-Vermenagna pilot region located in the western part of Italian Alps. Gesso-Vermenagna extends over 51,500 ha (42% forests and 33% grasslands) has a population of 10.022 inhabitants (density of 0.194 inh./ha) subdivided into seven municipalities (Valdieri, Entracque, Roaschia, Roccavione, Robilante, Vernante and Limone Piemonte). In addition, about 32,000 ha are situated in protected areas such as Maritime Alps Natural Park and Nature 2000 sites. The instrument used to collect the preferences of residents in Gesso-Vermenagna pilot region was a structured questionnaire composed by 27 closed-end questions. The structured questionnaire was administered face-to-face to a sample of residents in the two valleys. The questionnaire was structured to gather information on renewable energy in general and local development of solar photovoltaic power, wind power, hydropower, forest biomass in particular. The respondents assessed - using a 5-point Likert scale - the current level of development and the potential future development of renewable energy in Gesso-Vermenagna valleys, and the impacts of renewable energy development on ecosystem services. In addition, the residents’ willingness to pay (WTP) to use only energy from renewable sources was evaluated through a set of questions. The respondents said their willingness to pay more than the current energy bill using an open-end question. Some citizen questionnaire results are compared with local expert questionnaire results.

Results At the end of the interview stage, 83 citizens of Gesso-Vermenagna valleys were interviewed face-to-face (about 0.83% of total residents in the pilot region). Current level of development The results show that the respondents’ perceptions concerning the current level of development of renewable energy sources in Gesso-Vermenagna valleys varies greatly depending on the type of source. According to the citizens’ opinions only the hydropower was quite developed in the past decades (56% of respondents perceive a very high current hydropower development) while the other three renewable energy sources were not very developed in these Alpine valleys. It is interesting to highlight as the level of knowledge on the forest biomass is less than that for the other three sources (non-response rate of 19.3%). The citizens’ perception was confirmed by the experts who have declared that big hydropower (basin plants) has been developed for 80% of its maximum potential and the mini and micro hydropower for 5-8%. Potential future development The citizens interviewed stated that the only renewable energy source with potential for future development is the forest biomass: 26.9% declared a “very high” growth potential and 55.1% an “high” growth potential, in according with local experts that indicate also a micro hydropower future potential. The second renewable energy source with potential for future development is the small hydropower (13.9% “very high” and 32.9% “high”). Also these results are in line with the statements made by local experts who declared that forest biomass have a “very high” (12.5% of experts) or “high” (50.0%) growth potential. While 100% of experts said that big hydropower has no future potential and the small hydropower has a limited growth potential (31.3% “high”, 50% “low” and 18.7% “very low”). Impacts on ecosystem services and Willingness To Pay (WTP) for renewable energy The perceived impacts of renewable energy development on ecosystem services were evaluated only for hydropower distinguishing between big and small hydropower. Five ecosystem services from different categories were considered: 1. Provisioning services: water supply; 2. Regulating services: quality of water, natural hazards protection (i.e. landslides, avalanches and rockfalls); 3. Cultural services: landscape aesthetic; 4. Supporting services: biodiversity and nature conservation. Citizens perceived negatively the development of big and small hydropower towards landscape aesthetic and biodiversity. Citizens’ willingness to pay for renewable energy

Citizens’ perceptions about renewable energies in Gesso and Vermenagna valleys Balest Jessica, Curetti Giorgio, Grilli Gianluca, Garegnani Giulia, Paletto Alessandro, Vettorato Daniele

A questionnaire survey has been undertaken in Gesso-Vermenagna, in order to undestand citizens´ willingness to pay (WTP) for renewable energy. Out of the 83 questionnaires, 68 were useful for the WTP analysis. Non-used questionnaires included incomplete answers and 6 „protesters“ (i.e. people declairing 0 WTP because they do not want new power plants into the valleys). A Tobit model has been used to account for factors affecting respondents‘ declaire WTP. People declaired they are willing to pay around 5.2 € per month more (13% more in the energy bill, on average) to obtain energy exclusively from renewable sources. As the table show, the major faetures affecting this result are personal interest toward renewables (know_index), income and the personal perception of further development of hydropower in the territory (hydro_fut). Concerning gender: female respondents are willing to pay more.

All the activities carried out with the support of Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime

Conclusion The analysis of citizens’ perceptions and preferences can provide useful information to start to know the local social acceptance on the renewable energies development, in the way to develop successful DSS tools. The availability of data concerning the citizens opinions allows to better define the strategies of renewable energy planning. The inclusion of citizens’ preferences and needs in the DSS can increase the social acceptance of the tools and decisions and reduce the potential conflicts between groups of interests. Public consultation is only the first step in a participatory process, subsequently, the members of communities should be informed and actively involved in the creation or improvement of DSS tools.