Regional knowledge networks towards innovation in the field of renewable energy

Abstract

Climate change is one of the greatest threats that humanity is facing today. Minimizing its effects can only be achieved through a future of renewable energies (REs). Therefore, innovation in this sector plays a key role in achieving environmental objectives to curb this threatening scenario before it is too late. Previous studies have shown the great impact the characteristics of knowledge networks have on the innovative performance of regions in general and in certain technologies in particular. These networks are defined as a variety of actors, which are interconnected by collaborative relationships that enable or constrain the diffusion, transfer and acquisition of knowledge and information, and thus influence innovative output. Interestingly, this approach has hardly been investigated in the energy sector despite the emphasis on collaboration being key towards successful energy innovations. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis is to answer the question of how the characteristics of a region´s RE sector knowledge network influence regional innovation in this sector.

To this end, several hypotheses are proposed relating different characteristics of regional knowledge networks to the RE innovative performance of 270 European NUTS 2 regions between 2003 and 2017. These include characteristics referring to both intra-regional and interregional collaborations and are classified in three main types: structural (overall connectedness and cohesive subgroups), proximity (geographic and technological proximity) and actor-specific (intermediaries and gatekeepers). For the construction of the variables, RE patents were used.

Hypothesis testing has been done using regression analysis on three main models. One considering all patents in removable energy (baseline model), and two energy-specific for solar energy (solar model) and wind energy (wind model).

The results reveal that an overall a loosely coupled regional network structure impulse innovation in RE, although, it is important that there are cohesive subgroups of inventors within it. It is also key that the region receives external knowledge from beyond its closest neighbours and that this is to some extent similar to the region's RE technology base. Finally, it is desirable to have actors in charge of disseminating internal and external knowledge throughout the groups of actors of the regional network.

This thesis offers a new point of view through the analysis of knowledge networks to the study of regional innovation in RE, which we consider useful both for future studies in this field and for policy makers seeking to improve the regional performance of their regions in RE.