In April 2023, the Energy for Society Chair kicked off a new research cycle on social acceptance of energy infrastructures. We sat down with Eduardo Méndez León, postdoctoral researcher with the Chair, whose project examines social acceptability through the lens of business models.

What are the goals of your research?

The energy transition stands on three pillars, one of which is low-carbon energy production. Yet, rolling out decarbonized energy infrastructure runs into several hurdles — most notably, weak buy-in from key stakeholders. This can delay, or even derail, projects and ultimately drive up costs.

So what am I trying to achieve? I aim to uncover the root causes of this lack of support and pinpoint what could help strengthen it. This includes designing new business models that can truly enable the energy transition.

How is your research structured?

Our project team is a trio! I work closely with Carine Sebi, coordinator of the Energy for Society Chair and Professor of Economics, and Anne-Lorène Vernay, Professor of Strategic Management, also affiliated with the Chair.

Our approach follows a two-step methodology: a literature review to understand the key traits of acceptability, and interviews with stakeholders involved in various projects.

We reviewed more than 60 academic papers and identified roughly 70 drivers of acceptability. Then we conducted 30 interviews with a wide range of actors across the value chain: developers, farmers, trade unions, lawyers, elected officials, researchers…

How far along is the project?

Since launching in spring 2023, the project has made strong progress, and we already have initial results. For instance, we found that acceptability of biogas projects* needs to be assessed case by case — each project is unique. Unlike wind power, which requires a dedicated installation, biogas is a process, meaning its acceptability hinges largely on design choices and operating practices.

Industrial biogas projects involve three sectors: agriculture, energy, and waste management. This diversity can be an asset, helping create a coherent local ecosystem, but it also means conflicts may arise in any of the three sectors.

Assessing the potential of biogas therefore requires taking all three industries into account, which calls for a systemic approach that no single actor currently has the capacity to deliver.

What’s next for the project?

Our aim is to translate our findings into tangible recommendations. These insights will benefit all stakeholders — policymakers, farmers, opposition groups, citizens — involved in biogas projects, or more broadly, any energy project tied to agriculture, such as agrivoltaics currently expanding in France.**

We also have two publications in the pipeline:

• a conceptual paper proposing a definition of business models for acceptability,
• and an empirical paper offering policy recommendations to improve social acceptance of biogas projects.

*Biogas production (méthanisation) is a biological process that breaks down organic matter.
**An agrivoltaic installation produces electricity from solar radiation using modules installed on farmland in a way that supports or enhances agricultural activity.

Self-portrait

After completing my Master’s degree in Sustainable Management in my home country, Mexico, I found myself increasingly drawn to the world of research. Coming to France was a dream for me!

I had the opportunity to pursue a PhD at the University of Technology of Troyes, thanks to a scholarship from Mexico’s National Council of Science and Technology.

During my PhD, I became convinced that academic research could help shed light on pressing social issues. My work focused on sustainable business models in contexts of poverty. I studied cases in Mexico and uncovered interesting insights into how business models can improve living conditions for people facing poverty.

As part of my PhD journey, I joined a workshop organized by the International Association for Strategic Management (AIMS) to get feedback on my project. I was fortunate to receive valuable comments from several GEM researchers.

A few years later, within this same community, I discovered the call for applications for a postdoctoral position. In a way, attending the AIMS workshop eventually led me to join GEM and the Energy for Society Chair.

I bring expertise in literature review and qualitative analysis, but working with this multidisciplinary team is also incredibly rewarding — it really helps me grow personally and professionally.

Looking ahead, I’d love to continue working in research and teaching, both in France or back in Mexico!

Want to learn more?

What is unique about sustainable business models for the base of the pyramid? — Analysis by Eduardo Méndez-León, René Díaz-Pichardo, Tatiana Reyes-Carrillo and María del Rosario Reyes-Santiago – Business Strategy and the Environment – October 26, 2023

Les Échos – October 18, 2023 – Opinion | Biogas: potential under conditions (In French) – by Carine Sebi, Anne-Lorène Vernay and Eduardo Méndez León

Towards a holistic framework for sustainable value analysis in business models: A tool for sustainable development — Analysis by Eduardo Méndez-León, Tatiana Reyes-Carrillo and René Díaz-Pichardo – Business Strategy and the Environment – July 30, 2021