Public attitudes vs. institutional frameworks in the diffusion of wind energy: evidance from the literature and from an Italian case study.

There is a new challenge to face in the coming decades, the development of an efficient, safe,sustainable energy system which reduces the environmental impact. The development anddiffusion of renewable energy technologies is more than important, it is crucial for humankind, asGeorgescu Roegen emphasized it in the 70s (e.g. Georgescu 1976). Diffusion and R&D, as for allnew technologies, are linked in a positive feedback loop that requires diffusion to be high enough inorder to achieve real progress in R&D. The transition from fossil to renewable energy is not aseasy, there are many obstacles ahead. Renewable energies are well developed in recent years butare still resistant. This study reporting a brief history of the development of wind energy and thecurrent state of the art, and after analyzes the causes of slow development of wind energy. This study compare different cases in the literature of installation of wind power in various countries,considering the behavior of people and institutions.