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Improved understanding of the innovative pathways of renewable energy technologies is vital if we are to make the transition to a low carbon economy. This study presents new evidence on innovation and industry dynamics in concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies. Though CSP is undergoing a renaissance, existing innovation studies have explored innovative activity in solar technologies in general, ignoring the major differences between solar photovoltaic and CSP technologies. This study, based on patent data, examines the level and dynamics of innovative activity in CSP between 1978 and 2004. Our unique contribution, based on engineering expertise and detailed datawork, is a classification system mapping CSP...
The Chernobyl accident was a major economic loss with a cost of about $12.5 billion U.S. dollars to the government of the Soviet Union. However, in terms of human loss it was less than a major accident. The economic costs in countries other than the Soviet Union were caused by reasons other than established radiation protection principles. The lack of preparedness of most countires was demonstrated by exaggerated reporting by the news media and by the confused actions of governments.
This paper reviews the current EU policy framework in view of its impact on hydrogen and fuel cell development. It screens EU energy policies, EU regulatory policies and EU spending policies. Key questions addressed are as follows: to what extent is the current policy framework conducive to hydrogen and fuel cell development? What barriers and inconsistencies can be identified? How can policies potentially promote hydrogen and fuel cells in Europe, taking into account the complex evolution of such a potentially disruptive technology? How should the EU policy framework be reformed in view of a strengthened and more coherent approach towards full deployment, taking into account recent technology-support activities?...
Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Energy policy, Hydrogen, Innovation
This paper reviews the current EU policy framework in view of its impact on hydrogen and fuel cell development. It screens EU energy policies, EU regulatory policies and EU spending policies. Key questions addressed are as follows: to what extent is the current policy framework conducive to hydrogen and fuel cell development? What barriers and inconsistencies can be identified? How can policies potentially promote hydrogen and fuel cells in Europe, taking into account the complex evolution of such a potentially disruptive technology? How should the EU policy framework be reformed in view of a strengthened and more coherent approach towards full deployment, taking into account recent technology-support activities?...
Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Energy policy, Hydrogen, Innovation
Ethanol has recently been of great interest worldwide because it is a viable economic alternative to petroleum products and it is a renewable source of energy that mitigates the emission of greenhouse gases. Brazilian bioethanol from sugarcane is the most successful case at the world level because of its low cost and low level of greenhouse gas emissions. Brazil’s success with sugarcane cannot be understood as based solely on a natural comparative advantage, but as a result of efforts that culminated in a positive trajectory of technological learning, relying mostly on incremental innovations. The purpose of this article is to analyze the key aspects of the innovation system built around the Brazilian sugarcane...
Categories: Publication; Types: Citation; Tags: Ethanol, Innovation, Renewable energy
To many, a lot of secrets are at the bottom of the often-cited catchphrase "Smart Grid". This article gives an overview of the options that information and communication technology (ICT) offers for the restructuring and modernisation of the German power system, in particular with a view towards its development into a Smart Grid and thus tries to reveal these secrets. After a short outline on the development of ICT in terms of technology types and their availability, the further analysis highlights upcoming challenges in all parts of the power value chain and possible solutions for these challenges through the intensified usage of ICT applications. They are examined with regard to their effectiveness and efficiency...
To many, a lot of secrets are at the bottom of the often-cited catchphrase "Smart Grid". This article gives an overview of the options that information and communication technology (ICT) offers for the restructuring and modernisation of the German power system, in particular with a view towards its development into a Smart Grid and thus tries to reveal these secrets. After a short outline on the development of ICT in terms of technology types and their availability, the further analysis highlights upcoming challenges in all parts of the power value chain and possible solutions for these challenges through the intensified usage of ICT applications. They are examined with regard to their effectiveness and efficiency...
The status of computer simulation models from around the world for evaluating the possible ecological, environmental, and societal consequences of global change is presented in this paper. In addition, a brief synopsis of the state of the science of these impacts is included. Issues considered include future changes in climate and patterns of land use for societal needs, Models dis cussed relate to vegetation (e.g, crop), soil, bio-geochemistry, water, and wildlife responses to conventional, forecasted changes in temperature and precipitation. Also described are models of these responses, alone and interactively, to increased CO2, other air pollutants and UV-B radiation, as the state of the science allows. Further,...
This paper provides a synthesis of current knowledge on the patterns, drivers, and characteristics of historical energy technology transitions. This historical evidence is then compared to the treatment of energy system dynamics in the scenario analysis on climate mitigation. The paper concludes with a discussion of generic implications for clean energy and technology innovation policy.
To many, a lot of secrets are at the bottom of the often-cited catchphrase "Smart Grid". This article gives an overview of the options that information and communication technology (ICT) offers for the restructuring and modernisation of the German power system, in particular with a view towards its development into a Smart Grid and thus tries to reveal these secrets. After a short outline on the development of ICT in terms of technology types and their availability, the further analysis highlights upcoming challenges in all parts of the power value chain and possible solutions for these challenges through the intensified usage of ICT applications. They are examined with regard to their effectiveness and efficiency...
This article looks at ways of bringing about a shift in technological regime away from hydrocarbon based energy technologies, in order to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. With specific reference to windpower as one innovation that represents a more environmentally friendly energy generating activity, the potential for a technological shift is examined in terms of factors facilitating/ inhibiting the diffusion of windpower, and the technology and policy drivers involved. It appears that, although windpower cannot replace the carbon economy by itself, there are no obvious technical reasons why it cannot form part of a combination of renewables which make a significant contribution to our electrical...
What is the best strategy to encourage research and development on new energy technologies in a market economy? What steps can ensure a rapid and efficient transition to an economy that has much lower net carbon emissions? This paper shows that, under limited conditions, a necessary and sufficient condition for an appropriate innovational environment is a universal, credible, and durable price on carbon emissions. Such a price would balance the marginal damages from carbon emissions against the marginal costs of abating emissions; it should not contain a correction factor for inducing technological change. This result, which the paper calls “price fundamentalism,” applies principally to the market-oriented part...
This article looks at ways of bringing about a shift in technological regime away from hydrocarbon based energy technologies, in order to contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. With specific reference to windpower as one innovation that represents a more environmentally friendly energy generating activity, the potential for a technological shift is examined in terms of factors facilitating/ inhibiting the diffusion of windpower, and the technology and policy drivers involved. It appears that, although windpower cannot replace the carbon economy by itself, there are no obvious technical reasons why it cannot form part of a combination of renewables which make a significant contribution to our electrical...
We review recent global developments in three areas: energy efficiency, market transformation, and renewable energy. In each area we document policy applications and specific country experiences. We list Internet World Wide Web links for current information. Significant opportunities exist for cross-fertilizing initiatives from both developed and developing countries. For example, Thailand’s energy labelling program works significantly better than that of the US. Specific information is listed for many countries in Asia, Europe, and North America.