Culture in geothermal energy research

Abstract

Culture is increasingly recognised as shaping public perceptions of energy technologies, yet its role in geothermal energy development remains poorly understood. This systematic review examines how culture is conceptualised, operationalised and studied in geothermal energy research to understand its influence on public perceptions and project development. Two research questions guide the structure of the review: how culture is defined, delineated and studied in geothermal energy contexts, and what empirical insights exist regarding culture's influence on public perceptions. Analysis of 29 peer-reviewed papers shows that culture is broadly described rather than analytically operationalised, with limited definitional consensus. Through thematic analysis, the empirical papers reveal two pathways through which culture shapes perceptions of geothermal projects. The culture-driven pathway highlights how pre-existing cultural frameworks shape perceptions through experiences of the underground, place-based identities, governance traditions, and historical experiences. The project-driven pathway illustrates how geothermal developments impact and transform culture through identity erosion, new cultural practices, and trade-offs between economic benefits and cultural preservation. The findings challenge the view that culture is a barrier, demonstrating that it can support energy transitions. Critical research gaps include the need for systematic frameworks to measure local culture, a cross-regional comparison of the influence of local culture on communities' perceptions of energy projects and how project developers' cultural assumptions shape energy projects. These insights can inform culturally sensitive community engagement for just energy transitions.