A major problem that the Renewable Developers face in Greece is the public acceptance of such systems. Another critical issue is how people react in the idea of using Hydrogen as a Fuel basically for their transportation. In order to examine what people think of these technologies and what are the criteria of acceptance or rejection a questionnaire was decided to be handed out. This is a part of the viability of the project. If the opposition is to strong, a project cannot be realised even if it makes technical and economical sense.

The questionnaire was formed by the members of the team and approved by Dr. Eddie McKenzie Head of the Department of Statistics and modelling Science in the University of Strathclyde whom we would like to thank especially both for his interest and his very useful suggestions.

The questionnaires were handed out to many Greek cities by hand or by "chain" e-mails. The questionnaire consists of two main sections. At the beginning some briefly information are given about Renewable Energy Sources and Hydrogen Technologies, in order to help people understand easily the index of the questionnaire. The advantages and disadvantages of the use every energy type, including environmental, economical, political and technical issues, are presented.

At the first part of the second section general information are asked about the people who answered the questionnaire

Download the questionnaire in pdf format:	Greek Version	English Version

551 were the people who responded to the questionnaire and helped us to derive the following results.

QUESTIONS	RESULTS (Click Thumbnails to enlarge)
Have you ever heard about the production of electricity from Wind Solar Energy and Hydrogen?
If yes please state your source of information (e.g. media, relative or friend, I am working in the sector, …)
Do you agree with such means of producing electricity?
If you accept these means of electricity production please state the reasons. (Possible answers: a) Because of cheaper electricity production on a long terms basis, b) Because of reduced emissions in comparison to conventional electrical power plants)
If you reject these means of electricity production please state the reasons. (Possible answers: For Wind Energy a) visual impact, b) limitation of human activities. For Solar Energy: visual impact  - large landscape size needed, b) high initial cost For Hydrogen Technologies: a) explosion danger, b) damage to ozone layer)
If you agree with such means of producing electricity would you be in favour of an installation of such systems near your residence?
Would you install PV panels at your residence if you had the opportunity of doing so?   Would you replace any kind of battery with hydrogen powered fuel cells? Would you buy a car that operates with fuel cells and uses hydrogen as a fuel? Would you support legislation that would reduce and cap emissions of the four major air pollutants (sulphurs dioxide, nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and mercury) from power plants? Would you support an energy program that would require an increasing percentage of the nation’s electricity to come from renewable sources such as wind and solar?  Would you prefer cheaper electricity  or a cleaner environment?
FURTHER RESULTS
Acceptance of Renewable and Hydrogen Technologies per Educational Level.
Acceptance of Renewable and Hydrogen Technologies per Age.
Acceptance of Wind and Solar Systems from Inhabitants that live near such systems.

Conclusions

Wind and Solar energy technologies are quite well known and spread in Greece. Most Greeks accept the development of systems that exploit these types of energy, but not on their back yard. From the other hand there is a confusion about the Hydrogen Technologies, the applications and the benefits of producing energy from Hydrogen. Almost half people accept them but only 40% would use hydrogen as fuel for transportation means and portable applications. The majority that reject hydrogen applications is because they believe that hydrogen is dangerous while it is possible to cause explosion.

The results of the survey on people's environmental sensitivity are quite encouraging since the environmental disaster caused by the unrestrained use of fossil fuels managed to alert them. 85% of the Greeks would support legislation that caps emission producers while 90% of them would support a national policy that will encourage energy production from RES and Hydrogen. Three out of four would rather have a cleaner environment than cheaper electricity. However, many people were of the opinion that both cleaner environment and cheaper electricity production can be achieved by using RES for Energy production.

Governmental and Environmental Organizations should start campaigns in order to inform the public about the benefits of Hydrogen Economy and about safety issues that concern Hydrogen as fuel. Important also is to include in these campaigns energy saving instructions and information in order to lead communities to a more sustainable way of living.

Special thanks to Mr Fani and Mrs Vaso Takoudi, Mr Likourgo and Mrs. Vivi Antonaki, Maria and Zoi.