Why support seasonal thermal energy storage? Swiss residents' preferences for ownership, decision-making and energy costs

Driven by the imperatives of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as challenges related to energy security, the need to transform and decarbonise energy systems has become increasingly urgent. In this regard, seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) solutions can become a crucial puzzle piece to navigate the availability, accessibility and affordability of energy by shifting energy from periods of high production/low demand to periods of low production/high demand, e.g., for heating purposes from summer to winter. However, energy infrastructure and siting decisions are not only a matter of techno-economic feasibility but can become political touchpoints at the local level with multiple actors involved. Against this background, this article investigates how governance aspects and arrangements, next to techno-economic aspects, shape the community acceptance of STES. Based on original survey data collected through a conjoint experiment conducted among Swiss residents in the summer of 2023 ( N = 775), it examines whether and how ownership, decision-making and energy costs shape residents' support of district-level STES. The findings reveal a limited impact of the decision-making process on support, sensitivity towards energy costs and distinct preferences for the involvement of public authorities in ownership structures as opposed to full private ownership. The latter finding remains true even if the local population holds decision-making power or benefits financially. The results highlight the impact of governance structures overseeing STES infrastructure and extend to policymakers and practitioners seeking to navigate and govern the complex terrains of implementing (novel) energy storage infrastructure. • Exploring community acceptance of district-level seasonal thermal energy storage • Conjoint experiment among Swiss residents ( N = 775) • Focus on (joint impact of) ownership, energy costs and decision-making on support • Clear preferences for public ownership as opposed to private ownership • Unless energy costs increase, the negative impact of private ownership diminishes