Wudy Julian

Education

Since February 2010
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Master Program „Environment and Bio Resources Management “

2007-2011
University of Vienna
Bachelor Program „Political Science“

2006-2010
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
Bachelor Program „Environment and Bio Resources Management“

Master thesis associated with the PhD-Project Human-Nature-Concepts

“Impacts on the Energy and Environmental human behaviour by photovoltaic plants“

With a heightened focus on the concept of sustainability in the past few decades governments and individuals have become increasingly aware of the need to implement alternative energy systems. Based on the political commitment and the implementation of monetary incentives for individuals, there is an increasing number of citizens in Austria installing a photovoltaic plant on their own houses. The number of people getting in contact with this technology is increasing. Therefore my key question is: Does the possession of a photovoltaic plant have an socio-psychological impact and affect the energy and environmental human behaviour?

The objective of the master thesis is to investigate if the installation of a photovoltaic plant is changing the energy and environmental human behaviour. Are they consuming energy in a more sustainable way? Do they use public transport more often? Etc. If there is an association between energy saving behaviours and the possession of a photovoltaic plant, there would be evidence, that photovoltaic plants shouldn’t be seen as simply providing renewable energy, they can also contribute to shifting values towards a more sustainable development. Conforming my suspicion would be an interesting fact for understanding how a society could shift towards a more sustainable development.

 The following questions will be answered as part of this master thesis:

1)   What are the reasons for purchasing a photovoltaic plant?

2)   Does the possession of a photovoltaic system affect the energy and environmental human behaviour?

3)   Is there a correlation between the acquirement of a photovoltaic plant and the values of a person?

4)   Is there a correlation between the acquirement of a photovoltaic plant and the human-nature-relationship of a person?

Supervisors
Supervisor: Penker, Marianne, Ao.Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.nat.techn.
Co-supervisor: Braito, Michael, Mag.