Researchers at the University of Plymouth are looking for people and organisations in West Cornwall willing to offer their opinions on a new energy project being launched in the area.
The United Downs Deep Geothermal Power project (UDDGP), funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Cornwall Council, will explore if geothermal technology can produce commercial energy in the UK.
With drilling work about to begin on the site near Redruth, the University’s Sustainable Earth Institute is launching independent research into people’s perception of this new technology and what it could ultimately bring to their neighbourhood.
Through focus groups, interviews and surveys, they will compile a summary that will be sent to the company leading the project – Geothermal Engineering Ltd (GEL) – as well as Cornwall Council and the residents themselves.
The first element of the research is looking for residents in Redruth, Carharrack, St Day, Frogpool and Twelveheads and is being led by PhD student Francesca Tirotto. She will be studying people’s perceptions of geothermal energy from a psychosocial point of view.
Over the coming months a second project will be led by Dr Hazel Gibson, Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Public Perception of Geothermal Power. She will be conducting a series of surveys and interviews throughout Cornwall looking at how people think and talk about geothermal power.
Dr Gibson said:
“With work about to start, people are soon going to be seeing a lot of activity around United Downs. But our interest is in how they feel about that, and what they understand about the project and how it impacts on their communities. There may be some, for example, who say this is an extension of Cornwall’s proud industrial heritage, while others have environmental concerns, but we want to hear all thoughts and opinions.”
The researchers are interested in hearing from adults of all ages (over 18), whether or not they have any awareness of geothermal power.
