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The rise of science in low-carbon energy technologies

Author

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  • Kerstin Hotte
  • Anton Pichler
  • Franc{c}ois Lafond
Abstract
Successfully combating climate change will require substantial technological improvements in Low-Carbon Energy Technologies (LCETs), but designing efficient allocation of R\&D budgets requires a better understanding of how LCETs rely on scientific knowledge. Using data covering almost all US patents and scientific articles that are cited by them over the past two centuries, we describe the evolution of knowledge bases of ten key LCETs and show how technological interdependencies have changed over time. The composition of low-carbon energy innovations shifted over time, from Hydro and Wind energy in the 19th and early 20th century, to Nuclear fission after World War II, and more recently to Solar PV and back to Wind. In recent years, Solar PV, Nuclear fusion and Biofuels (including energy from waste) have 35-65\% of their citations directed toward scientific papers, while this ratio is less than 10\% for Wind, Solar thermal, Hydro, Geothermal, and Nuclear fission. Over time, the share of patents citing science and the share of citations that are to scientific papers has been increasing for all technology types. The analysis of the scientific knowledge base of each LCET reveals three fairly separate clusters, with nuclear energy technologies, Biofuels and Waste, and all the other LCETs. Our detailed description of knowledge requirements for each LCET helps to design of targeted innovation policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerstin Hotte & Anton Pichler & Franc{c}ois Lafond, 2020. "The rise of science in low-carbon energy technologies," Papers 2004.09959, arXiv.org, revised Sep 2020.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2004.09959
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    8. Fusillo, Fabrizio, 2023. "Green Technologies and diversity in the knowledge search and output phases: Evidence from European Patents," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(4).
    9. Li, Jizhe & Huang, Guohe & Liu, Lirong & Li, Yongping & Zhai, Mengyu & Xu, Xinli, 2021. "Projections of carbon metabolism in 2035 and implications for demand-side controls under various scenarios," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    10. Zhao, Congyu & Dong, Kangyin & Wang, Kun & Dong, Xiucheng, 2023. "Can low-carbon energy technology lead to energy resource carrying capacity improvement? The case of China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).
    11. 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.
    12. Kang, Jia-Ning & Zhang, Yun-Long & Chen, Weiming, 2022. "Delivering negative emissions innovation on the right track: A patent analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).

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