Innovation Processes of Energy Technologies
Energy innovations require particular attention
Innovation processes in the field of energy technologies are often complex and time-consuming. For achieving a successful innovation not only the competences of firm actors are required but also contributions of publicly funded research and development programs, universities and technical colleges, innovation agencies, environment and energy policies etc. The latter, demand side oriented support is of particular importance for those energy innovations with positive externalities in environmental terms.
In our study on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) we systematically analyzed ten energy related innovation processes in Switzerland. From this analysis we drew conclusions on how the public support of innovation processes could be optimized. Due to the central role of the SFOE in the context of the Swiss energy research landscape we have turned our attention to the effectiveness of the SFOE’s support.
Ten innovation case studies
By using the case study method we examined ten innovation processes in the technology areas of photovoltaics, co-generation (CHP), heat pumps based laundry dryers, wood gasification and converters. Our analysis covers the whole development, from the initiating activities to the introduction on the market. We reconstructed the development course by identifying technological and organizational milestones as well as essential influence factors. Through this activity, we discovered how to optimize the energy research support in the perspective of companies and research institutes that have been involved and received public promotion.
Optimization of public support for energy technology related innovation processes
Our results show that the SFOE substantially contributed to the success of the examined innovation processes due to the ability to grant continuous and intense R&D support. But, the public promotion of R+D processes could fall far short, especially in the field of energy technologies. To integrate the whole innovation process to the promotion strategy would be important. This implies a kind of coaching service, the explicit and adequate promotion of pilot and demonstration plants and to reflect and to contribute to the conditions in the market. Furthermore, special attention has to be drawn to the needs of small and medium sized businesses (e.g. concerning the availability of venture capital). Finally, with the aid of technology monitoring the existing budget could be more effectively allocated.
The project report at hand encompasses a detailed description of the innovation case studies, a comparing analysis of recurrent factors of success and failure and the deduction of starting points for improving the public promotion of energy research.
Project report (pdf, 3.1 MB; only in German)
Project team
Jochen Markard, Steffen Wirth - Cirus
Adrian Berwert, Mike Zehnder - rütter & partner