Stakeholder Engagement in Development of Clean energy Infrastructure
Context
The project explores the role of stakeholder engagement in the successful development and deployment of clean energy technologies, focusing on Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS), Hydrogen, and Nuclear Fission-Fusion through a user-centered lens.
Our Goal
To develop strategies for inclusive, transparent, and effective engagement with diverse stakeholders, ranging from local communities and investors to policymakers and industry experts, to foster trust, collaboration, and informed decision-making.
Our Response
To address the critical role of stakeholder engagement in clean energy infrastructure, we implemented a research-driven, user-centered design approach. The study revealed that fostering effective stakeholder engagement is essential for the success of clean energy projects. By incorporating diverse perspectives, facilitating cross-sector collaboration, and transparently addressing concerns, this approach provides a pathway for the clean energy sector to overcome challenges and leverage opportunities, advancing toward a sustainable and carbon-neutral future.
Project Details
Working Team: Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Science Department, Primary Investigator, Engineers, Project Managers, Faculty Advisors
Stakeholders: Clean Energy Infrastructure clients, Community Partners, Referral Networks, University of Michigan
Timeline: 1 year
Scope: User Research, Empathy Interviews, Synthesis and Analysis of Data, Report building
My Role : Lead User Experience Researcher and Strategist
Methods: Stakeholder Mapping, Affinity Mapping, Semi-Structured Empathy Interviews, Thematic Analysis.
Tools: Zoom, Mural, Google Workspace
Key Project Highlights
Importance of Stakeholder Engagement
Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for the success of carbon-negative projects like CCUS, involving diverse groups such as investors, communities, and policymakers, while navigating challenges like political agendas and activist backlash.
2. Strategies for Effective Engagement
Engaging stakeholders requires tailored strategies that consider diverse backgrounds, with stakeholder mapping to prioritize groups based on risks and benefits. Intermediaries help bridge gaps, while effective communication, active listening, and addressing concerns build trust, especially with local communities.
3. Challenges and Overcoming Barriers
Challenges in the clean energy industry stem from jargon-induced misunderstandings and conflicting perspectives among stakeholders, requiring open communication and effective conflict resolution. Accurate interpretation of community engagement data is essential for informed decision-making.
4. Collaboration and Learning
Collaboration emerges as a consistent theme, fostering continuous learning and improvement in the clean energy sector. Collaborative efforts with industry partners, academia, and non-profits contribute to insights and guidance for effective stakeholder engagement.
5. Impactful Engagement Examples
Successful engagement examples include instances from industries working with waste biomass, such as pulp and paper mills. Investing in local communities, creating jobs, and offering services contribute to acceptance and support for projects.
6. Environmental Justice and Community Benefits
Addressing environmental justice requires culturally tailored strategies, emphasizing community engagement to build trust and create benefits. Transparency about project risks, uncertainties, and benefits fosters collaboration and mutual understanding.
Research Methods
-
Framing the Problem
Purpose: Understand gaps in participatory approaches in clean energy development
Methods:
Literature review across sustainability, environmental justice, and energy systems
Review of DOE equity and justice initiatives
Technology landscape analysis (CCUS, hydrogen, nuclear fission)Outputs:
Research framing
Key assumptions
Stakeholder categories -
Background & Context Building
Purpose: Establish shared technical and industry context
Methods:
Creation of technology background documents
Industry mapping across CCUS, hydrogen, and nuclear
Reactor design and operator intervention analysisOutputs:
Technology primer
Company landscape
Interview reference materials -
Stakeholder Identification & Down-Selection
Purpose: Identify relevant, representative participants
Methods:
Down-selection criteria (technology role, U.S. presence, industry affiliation)
Mapping companies by technology vs project focus
Review of DOE hubs, funding recipients, and initiatives
Outputs:
Shortlisted participant pool
Recruitment strategy -
Recruitment & Ethical Review
Purpose: Recruit participants responsibly and ethically
Methods:
IRB-reviewed interview protocol Outreach via LinkedIn, academic networks, industry groups
Platform exploration (GRGHP, Airminers, conferences, alumni networks)
Outputs:
Final interviewee list
Consent-approved interview plan -
Interviews & Data Collection
Purpose: Capture perspectives on engagement practices and challenges
Methods:
Semi-structured interviews
Pilot interviews to refine prompts
Interviews with faculty, industry leaders, and practitioners
Outputs:
Interview transcripts
Qualitative data -
Analysis & Synthesis
Purpose: Identify patterns and opportunities for participatory design
Methods:
Affinity mapping to group similar patterns
Thematic analysis to code and analyze themes gathered from qualitative data
Cross-sector comparison
Key questions explored:
- How is “community engagement” defined?
- Where does engagement occur in the lifecycle?
- What barriers and incentives exist?
- Where could engagement happen earlier or differently?
Outputs:
Insight themes
Participatory blueprint inputs
Key Takeaways
-
Design Beyond Boundaries
Venturing into the clean energy space challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and apply my UX research and design skills in an entirely new domain. Embracing this unfamiliar territory not only enhanced my ability to learn quickly but also underscored the versatility of human-centered design in addressing complex, interdisciplinary challenges.
-
Building Trust Through Empathy
Trust and vulnerability emerged as cornerstones of stakeholder relationships. Cultivating a safe and empathetic environment was vital for understanding the nuances of stakeholders' roles and concerns. This experience reinforced the importance of approaching complex, emotionally charged topics with sensitivity and care.
-
Bridging Skepticism with Expertise
Collaborating with industry experts illuminated the pivotal role of intermediaries in participatory research. However, it also revealed skepticism and uncertainty about participatory approaches. This insight drove home the importance of fostering open dialogue, addressing reservations, and designing processes that empower all participants.