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Synergistic impact of renewable energy technology, governance, digitalisation, and human capital on sustainable development and load capacity factor in Germany's energy landscape

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  • Akadiri, Seyi Saint
  • Ozkan, Oktay
  • Kirikkaleli, Dervis

Abstract

The global push toward sustainable energy systems has prompted advanced economies to reevaluate the interplay between technological innovation, governance, digital transformation, and human capital in achieving environmental sustainability. However, empirical evidence capturing how these components jointly influence sustainable development and the load capacity factor remains limited, particularly within highly industrialised nations. This study addresses this gap by examining the synergistic effects of renewable energy technology, governance, digitalisation, and human capital on Germany's sustainable development and load capacity factor. Annual data spanning 2000–2022 are transformed into quarterly series using the quadratic sum approach to mitigate sample size bias. The Kernel-based Quantile Regression (KRQR) method is employed to uncover distributional heterogeneities and nonlinearities across different quantiles of sustainability performance. The findings reveal that the impacts of renewable energy technology, governance, digitalisation, and human capital are asymmetric and quantile-dependent, with stronger and more consistent effects at higher levels of sustainability. Robustness checks using KRQR average marginal effects further confirm these patterns. The study concludes with actionable policy recommendations for Germany and other advanced economies, advocating for integrated investment in technological infrastructure, institutional quality, and workforce development to drive green transformation and ecological resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Akadiri, Seyi Saint & Ozkan, Oktay & Kirikkaleli, Dervis, 2025. "Synergistic impact of renewable energy technology, governance, digitalisation, and human capital on sustainable development and load capacity factor in Germany's energy landscape," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:83:y:2025:i:c:s0160791x25001927
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q28 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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