We’re continuing our partner spotlight series with Jouni K. Juntunen, Professor of Innovation Management at the University of Vaasa, who leads Work Package 7, focusing on the social acceptance of geothermal energy.
Jouni and his team explore how communities, policymakers, and businesses perceive emerging technologies like HOCLOOP. Their research combines media analysis with stakeholder workshops to better understand what it takes for innovative solutions to gain public trust and societal value.
“The exciting part is that this is a novel technology with huge potential. We’re looking at how it fits society, communities, and businesses—and how we could scale it up big time.”
Social acceptance is a critical factor in energy innovation. While many renewable technologies, like wind or solar parks, face public resistance due to their visual or environmental footprint, Jouni highlights how HOCLOOP’s subsurface, low-visibility approach makes it more likely to be welcomed by communities.
He also emphasizes the potential for industrial use, noting that many industries with high heat demands could benefit from integrating HOCLOOP’s closed-loop geothermal system, reducing reliance on external suppliers and fossil fuels.
📽️ Watch the full interview to learn more about Jouni’s role in the project and his vision for a more socially integrated energy future.