Abstract
This current research investigates what the attitudes of Irish people are towards the development of offshore wind farms in Ireland. Using a qualitative approach, a questionnaire is carefully designed and distributed among a sample population from three coastal communities. One is located on the west coast and two on the east coast. The two locations on the east coast have an involvement in offshore wind farms. One of the locations plays host to Ireland’s only offshore wind farm, while there are plans in place for an offshore wind farm at the other location. The results from the questionnaires are analyzed with regard to the respondent’s proximity to the coast, their age, their gender and their educational levels. This analysis results in a number of conclusions being generated. Overall, it is found that there is a strong support amongst the respondents for the development of offshore wind farms in Ireland.
Keywords
Energy, Alternative Energy, Offshore Wind Energy, Attitudes, Ireland
Date of this Version
2-27-2013
Department
Technology
Department Head
Dr. Jamie Mohler
Month of Graduation
May
Degree
Master of Science
Head of Graduate Program
Dr. Jamie Mohler
Advisor 1 or Chair of Committee
Prof. Robert Herrick
Advisor 2
Dr. Michael Dyrenfurth
Advisor 3
Dr. Raji Sundararajan
Advisor 4
Dr. Gareth O' Donnell
Included in
Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons, Mechanical Engineering Commons, Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons