Energy policy interactions in the United States

The formulation of a US energy policy which is consistent with other national policies in the economic, environmental, R&D, and national security areas is a difficult, but necessary, process. Heavily-funded development of the plutonium breeder reactor exemplifies the type of policy inconsistencies pervading the present embryonic energy policy. In this article Dr Smernoff presents a reasonably consistent long-run energy policy in which nuclear fission plays a minor role, clean-burning fossil fuels are decreasing in importance, and geothermal/solar energy sources are becoming dominant in an increasingly post-industrial society.     

Energy technology roadmap for the next 10 years: The case of Korea

The Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), the only government-sponsored research institute specialized in the development of energy technology and policy, has established a long-term strategic energy technology roadmap (ETRM) for the period spanning from 2006 to 2015. Taking into account such variables as the energy environment, economic spin-off, and commercial potential, the ETRM was classified into 3 sectors, namely high oil prices, the UNFCCC, and the hydrogen economy. The ETRM not only represents a milestone in terms of the development of national energy technology in Korea, but also serves to identify the primary energy technologies which should be developed. The ETRM also supplies energy policymakers with successful R&D alternatives vis-à-vis the development of energy technologies under the current Korean energy environment.     

Econometric analysis of the R&D performance in the national hydrogen energy technology development for measuring relative efficiency: The fuzzy AHP/DEA integrated model approach

Hydrogen energy technology can be one of the best key players related to the sector of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the hydrogen economy. Comparing to other technologies, hydrogen energy technology is more environmentally sound and friendly energy technology and has great potential as a future dominant energy carrier. Advanced nations including Korea have been focusing on the development of hydrogen energy technology R&D for the sustainable development and low carbon green society. In this paper, we applied the integrated fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (Fuzzy AHP) and the data envelopment analysis (DEA) for measuring the relative efficiency of the R&D performance in the national hydrogen energy technology development. On the first stage, the fuzzy AHP effectively reflects the vagueness of human thought. On the second stage, the DEA approach measures the relative efficiency of the national R&D performance in the sector of hydrogen energy technology development with economic viewpoints. The efficiency score can be the fundamental data for policymakers for the well focused R&D planning.     

Optimal policy of energy innovation in developing countries: Development of solar PV in Iran

The purpose of this study is to apply managerial economics and methods of decision analysis to study the optimal pattern of innovation activities for development of new energy technologies in developing countries. For this purpose, a model of energy research and development (R&D) planning is developed and it is then linked to a bottom-up energy-systems model. The set of interlinked models provide a comprehensive analytical tool for assessment of energy technologies and innovation planning taking into account the specific conditions of developing countries. An energy-system model is used as a tool for the assessment and prioritization of new energy technologies. Based on the results of the technology assessment model, the optimal R&D resources allocation for new energy technologies is estimated with the help of the R&D planning model. The R&D planning model is based on maximization of the total net present value of resulting R&D benefits taking into account the dynamics of technological progress, knowledge and experience spillovers from advanced economies, technology adoption and R&D constraints. Application of the set of interlinked models is explained through the analysis of the development of solar PV in Iranian electricity supply system and then some important policy insights are concluded.     

A study on making a long-term improvement in the national energy efficiency and GHG control plans by the AHP approach

Owing to the expiration of the national 10-year period plan and the establishment of an efficient energy and resource technology R&D system, the Korean government needs to make a strategic long-term national energy and resource technology R&D plan (NERP) to cope with forthcoming 10-year period. A new NERP aims to improve the energy intensity, reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas within the United Nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC), and contribute to the construction of an advanced economic system. We determine the priorities in technology development for the energy efficiency and greenhouse gas control plans (EGCP), which are parts of a new NERP, by using the AHP approach for the first time. We suggest a scientific procedure to determine the priorities in technology development by using AHP.     

The country-dependent shaping of ‘hydrogen niche’ formation: A comparative case study of the UK and South Korea from the innovation system perspective

This paper reports an international comparison of hydrogen niche formation in the UK and South Korea with special regard to policy development. Hydrogen energy development has provided us with a good example of ongoing phenomena during the early stage of socio-technical transition, in other words, the socio-technical niche. The purpose of the case studies was to see the country dependence in shaping the early stage (the period between the year 2002 and 2005) of hydrogen niche formation from the national innovation system perspective. The findings show certain differences in the background of hydrogen energy policies and the manners of policy development. There also are differences in the R&D activities, including not only the way in which they are performed, but also the strategic focussing of R&D, which have been influenced by R&D systems and the industrial structures of the national innovation systems. Vision-articulating processes and the roles and tendency towards intervention of governments are diverse. The research result will contribute to better understanding of the geography of socio-technical transition with empirical evidence. From that, one will be hinted that the hydrogen future may be diverse in different locations.     

Replacing tedium with transformation: Why the US Department of Energy needs to change the way it conducts long-term R&D

To avoid promoting technologies that merely produce incremental change, the US Department of Energy needs to establish a new organization designed to focus on transformational R&D projects. From its inception in 1977, the US Department of Energy (DOE) has been responsible for maintaining the nation's nuclear stockpile, leading the country in terms of basic research, setting national energy goals, and managing thousands of individual programs. Despite these responsibilities, however, the DOE research and development (R&D) model does not appear to offer the nation an optimal strategy for assessing long-term energy challenges. American energy policy continues to face constraints related to an overly rigid management structure and loss of mission within the DOE, layers of stove-piping within and between the national laboratories, and inadequate public and private funding for energy R&D. To address these concerns, an independent organization dedicated to transformative, creative energy R&D is required.     

The effects of environmental sustainability and R&D on corporate risk-taking: International evidence

In this paper, we ask an important question: can firm-level environmentally sustainable practices and research and development (R&D) intensity individually and jointly affect corporate risk-taking? Using firm-level data from 41 countries spanning 2002–2013, we find environmentally sustainable practices and R&D intensity enhance the risk-taking of firms. Voluntary sustainable practices generate a positive and significant effect on corporate risk-taking. We also find that country-level determinants play a complementary role. Firms operating in countries with better intellectual property rights protection and overall infrastructure benefit more from environment-friendly practices and R&D intensity. Further, we find that ESI has a positive effect on risk taking in countries with higher CO₂ emissions per capita, energy usages per capita and more stringent environmental policies. These results are robust after correcting for potential endogeneity, alternative measures of R&D intensity or ESI score. Overall, our findings provide key insights on policy recommendations at the national and international levels.     

U.S. energy research and development: Declining investment,increasing need,and the feasibility of expansion

Investment in energy research and development in the U.S. is declining despite calls for an enhancement of the nation's capacity for innovation to address environmental, geopolitical, and macroeconomic concerns. We examine investments in research and development in the energy sector, and observe broad-based declines in funding since the mid-1990s. The large reductions in investment by the private sector should be a particular area of concern for policy makers. Multiple measures of patenting activity reveal widespread declines in innovative activity that are correlated with research and development (R&D) investment—notably in the environmentally significant wind and solar areas. Trends in venture capital investment and fuel cell innovation are two promising cases that run counter to the overall trends in the sector. We draw on prior work on the optimal level of energy R&D to identify a range of values which would be adequate to address energy-related concerns. Comparing simple scenarios based on this range to past public R&D programs and industry investment data indicates that a five to ten-fold increase in energy R&D investment is both warranted and feasible.     

Regional differences in the CO2 emissions of China's iron and steel industry: Regional heterogeneity

Identifying the key influencing factors of CO₂ emissions in China's iron and steel industry is vital for mitigating its emissions and formulating effective environmental protection measures. Most of the existing researches utilized time series data to investigate the driving factors of the industry's CO₂ emission at the national level, but regional differences have not been given appropriate attention. This paper adopts provincial panel data from 2000 to 2013 and panel data models to examine the key driving forces of CO₂ emissions at the regional levels in China. The results show that industrialization dominates the industry's CO₂ emissions, but its effect varies across regions. The impact of energy efficiency on CO₂ emissions in the eastern region is greater than in the central and western regions because of a huge difference in R&D investment. The influence of urbanization has significant regional differences due to the heterogeneity in human capital accumulation and real estate development. Energy structure has large potential to mitigate CO₂ emissions on account of increased R&D investment in energy-saving technology and expanded clean energy use. Hence, in order to effectively achieve emission reduction, local governments should consider all these factors as well as regional heterogeneity in formulating appropriate mitigation policies.     

Hydrogen in China: Policy,program and progress

The paper introduces the role of energy in China economy context, criteria for sustainable development in energy sector, China's hydrogen vision, the role of hydrogen in China's R&D plan, recently launched national programs, and progresses and achievements in research, development and demonstration. The paper concludes that with fast economy development in the new era in China, the energy sector has been confronted with severe challenges in terms of supply security, environment pollution and greenhouse gas emission, and China has attached significant priority on research and development in hydrogen and fuel cell areas, as one of effective counter-measures to address these challenges. Transition to the hydrogen economy in China, a long-term, non-carbon energy solution, is believed to play a significant role, complementary to electricity, in the future sustainable energy system. It is recommended that more priority be attached for R&D in secondary industry, especially the utilization of hydrogen and fuel cell in stationary power generation from coal gasification.     

A fuzzy analytic hierarchy process approach for assessing national competitiveness in the hydrogen technology sector

As it is more environmentally sound and friendly than conventional energy technologies that emit carbon dioxide, hydrogen technology can play a key role in solving the problems caused by the greenhouse gas effect and in coping with the hydrogen economy. Numerous countries around the world, including Korea, have increasingly focused on R&D where hydrogen technology development is concerned. This paper focuses on the use of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (fuzzy AHP), which is an extension of the AHP method and uses interval values to reflect the vagueness of human thought, to assess national competitiveness in the hydrogen technology sector. This analysis based on the AHP and fuzzy AHP methods revealed that Korea ranked 6th in terms of national competitiveness in the hydrogen technology sector.     

中国能源研究与发展(R＆D)投入

能源R＆D投入是能源R＆D计划政策分析研究的一个组成部分。文章研究计算了2000年中国能源R＆D的经费投入。在绝对数量上，我国与发达国家的差距很大，如仅仅为日本的1．8％。文中还分析了国际上政府能源R＆D经费在技术领域投向上的趋势。     

The status of solar energy systems in Japan

The long term national programmes on solar energy R&D were overviewed. Brief summary of recent development and current application of solar energy technology are stated with inclusion of future prediction and economic viability.     

Renewable energy from agro-residues in China: Solid biofuels and biomass briquetting technology

China has the abundant agro-residue resources, producing more than 630 million tons of agro-residues in 2006, and amounting to about 20% of total energy consumption in rural areas. Efficient utilization of enormous agro-residues resource is crucial for providing bioenergy, releasing risk of environmental pollution, and increasing farmers’ income. The paper presented the feasibility of densified solid biofuels technology for utilizing agro-residues in China. The output and distribution of agro-residues in recent 10 years, the R&D of briquetting technology, and the market of densified solid biofuels from agro-residues in China have been analyzed. The result indicated that the abundant agro-residue resources can provide the economical and sustainable raw material for densified solid biofuels development in China. The R&D of briquetting technology at present can strongly support the large scale production of densified solid biofuels. With continued improvement and cost reduction of briquetting technology, along with the support of nation energy policy on biomass energy, the market of densified solid biofuels from agro-residues in China will be more fully deployed. Based on the above mentioned key factors, development of densified solid biofuels from agro-residues in China will be promising and feasible.     

Technological innovation in the energy sector: R&D,deployment, and learning-by-doing

Technological innovation is fundamental for rendering the energy economy cleaner and more efficient with concomitant economic, developmental, and environmental benefits. This paper discusses aspects of R&D and ‘learning-by-doing,’ the main contributors to technological change that are complementary yet inter-linked. The relationship between the level of national energy R&D investments and changes in the trajectory of the country's energy system is complex; targeted efforts to promote deployment of new energy technologies play a major role in translating the results of R&D activities to changes in the energy system. Learning-by-doing is an important element of deployment, but it remains largely poorly understood. Hence this phenomenon needs to be ‘unpacked’ and its various aspects analyzed in detail, so as to allow better design of early deployment efforts to enhance learning gains. This paper highlights how public R&D and deployment efforts must work in tandem to expand the portfolio, and realize the potential, of new and improved energy technologies.     

依靠自主创新推动新能源产业快速发展

分析了我国发展新能源面临的形势和发展机遇,总结了新能源发展取得的成绩,提出把新能源作为国家能源领域战略规划的重中之重,加大对新能源技术研发的支持力度．积极推动新能源并网发电,从技术层面解决可再生能源大规模接入电网,加大对智能电网关键技术和装备的研发投入．在全国展开示范推广工程,推进我国新能源产业持续、健康和快速发展。     

Technologies and policies for the transition to a sustainable energy system in china

The paper highlights the energy dilemma in China’s modernization process. It explores the technological and policy options for the transition to a sustainable energy system in China with Tsinghua University’s Low Carbon Energy Model (LCEM). China has already taken intensive efforts to promote research, development, demonstration and commercialization of sustainable energy technologies over the past five year. The policy actions cover binding energy conservation and environmental pollution control targets, economic incentives for sustainable energy, and public R&D supports. In order to achieve the sustainable energy system transformation eventually, however, China needs to take further actions such as strengthening R&D of radically innovative sustainable energy technologies and systems such as poly-generation, enhancing the domestic manufacturing capacity of sustainable energy technologies and systems, creating stronger economic incentives for research, development, demonstration and commercialization of sustainable energy technologies, and playing a leading role in international technology collaborations.     

Investment in oil and gas field materials technology – the key to a secure energy supply

Abstract

Many national and international programmes have renewable energies as a prime focus for long term R&D investment. This focus arises from an environmental perspective and the objective of a carbon abatement energy society, and may also be fuelled by often over-dramatised reports of declining oil and gas reserves. It is argued that investment in oil and gas must be a vital component of R&D planning and energy policy if energy supplies are to be assured, and that advances in materials and materials technologies will be key to these efforts.     

Comparing push and pull measures for PV and wind in Europe

Successful technological innovation frameworks are based on synergistic packages of technology-push and demand-pull measures. As the massive deployment of premature renewable energy technologies risks becoming very expensive, the debate on the optimal trajectory of renewable technologies should explicitly consider the balance between deployment incentives and R&D efforts.This paper explores this balance regarding wind and PV technology support in Europe. Based on rather conservative estimates, we calculate future deployment costs and compare these figures to the current public investments in PV and wind R&D. We find that, today, for each Euro spent on R&D to develop future technologies, 35 to 41 Euros are spent on the deployment of existing technologies. Furthermore, private PV and wind technology companies tend to underinvest in R&D for various reasons. In an alternative scenario, we assess the optimal R&D efforts for the PV and wind sectors based on a 7% R&D-to-sales benchmark that is typical for engineering sectors. If public R&D efforts would increase according to this benchmark, and hence compensate for the private underinvestments in R&D, pull/push ratios between 6 and 8 could be achieved. This leads us to conclude that the current balance between deployment and R&D is far from optimal.