Energy Technology Innovation
Learning from Historical Successes and Failures

An edited volume on factors determining success or failure of energy technology innovation, for researchers and policy makers.

Arnulf Grubler (Edited by), Charlie Wilson (Edited by)

9781108446006, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 March 2018

400 pages, 44 b/w illus. 48 colour illus. 49 tables
25 x 18 x 2.2 cm, 0.79 kg

'It is an ambitious endeavor to understand and provide explanations for why and how successes and failures occur in projects related to energy technology innovation, but the editors (and the authors) do indeed reach their goal. For this reason, this might be the best book written to date treating the subject of energy technology innovation … [it] is an excellent read and the editors have published a highly reader-friendly, well-structured book.' Energy Research and Social Science

Energy technology innovation - improving how we produce and use energy - is critical for a transition towards sustainability. This book presents a rich set of twenty case studies of energy technology innovation embedded within a unifying conceptual framework. It provides insights into why some innovation efforts have been more successful than others, and draws important policy conclusions. The case studies cover a wide range of energy technologies, ranging from energy supply to energy end use, from successes to failures and from industrialized, emerging and developing economies. The case studies are presented by an international group of eminent scholars under the auspices of the Global Energy Assessment (GEA), whose main volume was published in 2012 by Cambridge University Press. Energy Technology Innovation presents new data, new concepts and novel analytical and policy perspectives. It will be invaluable for researchers, policy makers, economists, industrial innovators and entrepreneurs in the field of energy technology.

Part I. Introduction: 1. Energy technology innovation Charlie Wilson and Arnulf Grübler
2. The energy technology innovation system Charlie Wilson and Arnulf Grübler
3. Historical case studies of energy technology innovation Arnulf Grübler and Charlie Wilson
Part II. Patterns and Linkages in the Energy Technology Innovation System: 4. Grand designs: historical patterns and future scenarios of energy technological change Arnulf Grübler
5. Historical diffusion and growth of energy technologies Charlie Wilson
6. Input, output and outcome metrics for assessing energy technology innovation Charlie Wilson
7. Technology portfolios: modeling technological uncertainty and innovation risks Arnulf Grübler, Sabine Fuss, David McCollum, Volker Krey and Keywan Riahi
Part III. Knowledge in the Energy Technology Innovation System: 8. Solar water heater innovation in the United States, China and Europe Gregory F. Nemet
9. Heat pumps: a comparative assessment of innovation and diffusion policies in Sweden and Switzerland Bernadett Kiss, Lena Nejj and Martin Jakob
10. Sources and consequences of knowledge depreciation Arnulf Grübler and Gregory F. Nemet
11. The French pressurized water reactor program Arnulf Grübler
Part IV. Adoption and Use in the Energy Technology Innovation System: 12. Technological improvements of solar thermal electricity in the United States and the role of public policy Gregory F. Nemet
13. Automobile fuel efficiency standards Gregory F. Nemet
14. Hybrid cars: development and deployment in Japan, the United States and China Kelly Sims Gallagher
15. Solar photovoltaics: multiple drivers of technological improvement Gregory F. Nemet
Part V. Actors and Institutions in the Energy Technology System: 16. A comparative assessment of wind turbine innovation and diffusion policies Lena Nejj and Per Dannemand Andersen
17. The role of standards: the Japanese top runner program for end-use efficiency Osamu Kimura
18. Solar innovation and market feedback: solar photovoltaics in rural Kenya Daniel M. Kammen and Arne Jacobsen
19. The US synthetic fuels corporation: policy consistency, flexibility and the long-term consequences of perceived failures Laura Díaz Anadon and Gregory F. Nemet
Part VI. Resources in the Energy Technology Innovation System: 20. Brazilian ethanol: unpacking a success story of energy technology innovation Dustin Meyer, Lynn Mytelka, Rich Press, Evandro Luíz Dall'Oglio, Paulo Texeira de Sousa, Jr and Arnulf Grübler
21. Global R&D, market formation and diffusion investments in energy technology innovation Arnulf Grübler, Laura Díaz Anadon, Kelly Sims Gallagher, Ruud Kempener, Anastasia O'Rourke and Charlie Wilson
22. Energy RD&D investments in the major emerging economies and the United States Ruud Kempener, Laura Díaz Anadon, Kelly Sims Gallagher and Kejun Jiang
23. A comparative analysis of annual market investments in energy supply and end-use technologies Charlie Wilson and Arnulf Grübler
Part VII. Conclusions: 24. Lessons learnt from the energy technology innovation system Charlie Wilson and Arnulf Grübler
25. Policies for energy technology innovation Arnulf Grübler and Charlie Wilson.

Subject Areas: The environment [RN], Earth sciences, geography, environment, planning [R]