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The science base of renewables

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  • Persoon, P.G.J.
  • Bekkers, R.N.A.
  • Alkemade, F.

Abstract

Initiatives to foster the development of Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) can benefit from a deep understanding of the science base that underlies such technologies, and especially how that science base differs from that of Fossil Fuel based Energy Technologies (FFETs). This paper investigates both science bases using citations in patents to scientific journals. We find that RETs generally have a more substantial science base and draw on a more diverse set of scientific disciplines. On average, the science on which RETs build is more recent, less applied and is published in journals with a higher WOS Journal Impact Factor. However, for different RETs (e.g., photovoltaics, wind turbines and non-fossil fuels), we observe much more variation across these dimensions than for different FFETs (e.g., combustion and gas turbines). Furthermore, the broad spectrum of sciences on which RETs build largely includes the smaller spectrum on which FFETs build. Based on these findings, we offer several policy recommendations to better stimulate the development of RETs.

Suggested Citation

  • Persoon, P.G.J. & Bekkers, R.N.A. & Alkemade, F., 2020. "The science base of renewables," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:158:y:2020:i:c:s0040162520309471
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120121
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    Cited by:

    1. Gnekpe, Christian & Plantec, Quentin, 2023. "Regulatory push-pull and technological knowledge dynamics of circular economy innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    2. Hötte, Kerstin & Pichler, Anton & Lafond, François, 2021. "The rise of science in low-carbon energy technologies," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    3. Grunevald, Isabel & Kipper, Liane Mahlmann & Ribas Moraes, Jorge Andre & Haupt, Leandro, 2023. "Scientific contributions on cleaner production through the use of patent information: A bibliometric analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    4. Hötte, Kerstin & Jee, Su Jung, 2022. "Knowledge for a warmer world: A patent analysis of climate change adaptation technologies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    5. Higham, Kyle & Contisciani, Martina & De Bacco, Caterina, 2022. "Multilayer patent citation networks: A comprehensive analytical framework for studying explicit technological relationships," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    6. P. G. J. Persoon & R. N. A. Bekkers & F. Alkemade, 2021. "The Knowledge Mobility of Renewable Energy Technology," Papers 2106.10474, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2021.
    7. Fernández, Ana María & Ferrándiz, Esther & Medina, Jennifer, 2022. "The diffusion of energy technologies. Evidence from renewable, fossil, and nuclear energy patents," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 178(C).
    8. Persoon, P.G.J. & Bekkers, R.N.A. & Alkemade, F., 2022. "The knowledge mobility of Renewable Energy Technology," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

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