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- Dynamics of knowledge production and technology diffusion: Insights from the emergence of wind energyPublication . Sousa, Cristina; Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThe objective of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the relation between the dynamics of knowledge production and technology diffusion along the process of emergence of a new technology, as it unfolds in diverse spatial locations. For this purpose, the paper traces the process of knowledge production over time – expressed in the number of scientific publications - and assesses how its dynamics relate with those of technology up-scaling and diffusion, for the case of a new renewable energy technology: wind power. It also compares these processes in different spatial areas, looking at similarities and differences in the evolving patterns, in initial markets and follower regions. In order to trace the dynamics of knowledge production we conduct a bibliometric analysis, using data collected from the Thomson Reuters Web of Science database (for the period 1970-2012). In order to trace the diffusion dynamics we use data collected on both unit scale of turbines and installed capacity of wind power (starting in late 1970s), following the empirical scaling methodology. These analyses are conducted at global scale and, subsequently, at a regional scale, for a pioneer (Denmark) and a fast follower (Portugal). The comparison of the outcomes from the bibliometric and the technology growth analyses permits to understand the rhythm and order in which knowledge was created and applied in this particular innovation. It also provides a preliminary account of the interplay between pioneer and fast follower regions.
- Typology of pathways for decarbonization [Resumo]Publication . Bento, Nuno; Alves, Tiago; Ribeiro, Ricardo; Fontes, MargaridaABSTRACT: Addressing the urgent climate change requires a clear knowledge of the options available, as well as an understanding of the possible strategies to reduce carbon emissions. Identifying realistic pathways for decarbonization is crucial to inform agents’ decisions about the relevant measures (Turnheim & Nykvist, 2018), with unawareness of these pathways often delaying climate action (Bergek et al, 2023). This paper seeks to identify, categorize, and analyze decarbonization pathways from the scientific literature, uncovering cross-cutting dimensions, interconnections, and regional trends for enhanced decision-making and accelerated change.
- Co-evolutionary dynamics of policy and system development : the case of marine renewable energy technologiesPublication . Fontes, Margarida; Karadzic, Vanja; Pereira, Tiago Santos; Bento, NunoABSTRACT: The transition to a sustainable energy system is a major societal challenge requiring profound trans-formations in existing socio-technical systems (Markard et al, 2012). These processes have been addressed by the sociotechnical transitions literature that called the attention to the role played by radically new technologies, being developed in niches, which have strong transformative potential (Kemp et al, 1998; Schot and Geels, 2007). These technologies and the socio-technical systems de-veloping around them often need temporary protection against the selection pressures of the estab-lished regimes (Smith and Raven, 2016); and supportive policies are a fundamental mode of protec-tion (Kivimaa and Kern, 2016). In the case of sustainable energy technologies, policy support is fur-ther justified by the need to accelerate the transition process (which is usually a long term process), given the urgency of fighting against climate change (IPCC, 2014).
- Spatial diffusion and the formation of a technological innovation system in the receiving country: The case of wind energy in PortugalPublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThis paper investigates how energy technologies diffuse spatiallythrough the examination of wind growth in Denmark (core) andPortugal (follower). The research draws on the empirical his-torical scaling dynamics to compare patterns of diffusion, andproposes an explanation for these patterns with the help of thetechnological innovation systems (TIS) theoretical framework. Theanalysis uncovered an acceleration of diffusion when the technol-ogy attained the new market. The mechanisms that allowed rapidadoption were found to be, among others, transnational linkagesand an improved absorptive capacity. The latter benefited frompast investments in knowledge development, imports of state-of-the-art technology and construction of a local industry assemblingavailable competencies. Targeted policies (e.g. tender-based feed-in scheme) were effective to stimulate technology transfer andboost diffusion. The linkages with the global TIS and the conceptof absorptive capacity improve the understanding of the processesinvolved in the formation of a TIS in receiving countries.
- Direction, legitimacy and structuration in technological innovation systems upscaling-insights from roadmaps for deepwater offshore wind energyPublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThis research investigates strategies aiming to accelerate the up-scaling of low- carbon innovations. We adopt the technological innovation systems (TIS) perspective to focus on structuration or system building processes, including key innovative activities. We analyze national roadmaps that have been developed for offshore wind energy in deep waters - more than 50 meters deep where most of the potential is expected but whose technologyis more immature . in Europe. The roadmaps analysis not only reveals how actors expect the TIS grow but also enables the understanding about the critical functions at this stage, such as direction of search and legitimacy.
- The construction of a new technological innovation system in a follower country: wind energy in PortugalPublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThis article analyzes the process of construction of a new innovation system based on wind energy in a "follower" context. The technological innovation systems framework is used to analyze and explain the emergence of a new wind industry in Portugal, where this renewable energy technology knew a spectacular development in the past decade. This framework highlights the main processes or functions that intervene in the diffusion of a new technology. The evidence obtained demonstrates that the fulfillment of these functions, which were mostly studied in the context of pioneer countries, is still pertinent to explain the formation of a wind energy system in this follower country. Yet the type of resources and the nature of the activities needed to adopt the technology in the latter will often differ. This case provides new insights about the importance of functions that enhance the follower's capacity to assimilate the new technology (e.g. local knowledge development, experimentation), creating conditions for a fast move as soon as innovations become sufficiently mature in the core.
- Transformative mechanisms in decarbonization policies: a structured approachPublication . Sousa, Cristina; Fontes, Margarida; Bento, NunoABSTRACT: The transition to a low-carbon society should accelerate to avoid an increase in the temperatures above 1.5º to 2ºC, and this is unlikely to occur without policy intervention (IPCC, 2022). Given the complexity of the problem, recent debates have increasingly pointed to the need of adopting a new, broader view on policy intervention (Weber and Rohracher, 2012; Hekkert et al., 2020). This entails a move beyond a single focus on economic competitiveness and growth and towards a focus on societal problems or “grand challenges”, leading to the emergence of the concept of transformative innovation policy (Schot and Steinmueller 2018; Dierks et al., 2019). This new rationale implies the consideration of a much broader range of policy objectives, targets and instruments, as well as the notion that a mix of policies needs to be deployed to achieve the desired goals (Rogge and Reichardt, 2016).
- Emergence of floating offshore wind energy: technology and industryPublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaABSTRACT: The paper investigates the construction of strategies aiming to up-scale low-carbon innovations from pilot to full commercial scale. This requires a systemic understanding of the evolution of the technology along with the organizations and infrastructures supporting its development. Technological innovation systems concepts operationalize system building processes, including the establishment of constituent elements and the performance of key innovation activities. The study surveys the national roadmaps published between 2009 and 2014 for offshore wind energy in deepwaters (more than 50 m deep) which inform on how actors expect the system to grow, including the innovation activities crucial to achieve it. The roadmaps point to the role of guidance and legitimacy as triggers of changes in other innovation processes (knowledge creation, experimentation and so on) needed for take-off. The analysis reveals that the growth plans conveyed in the roadmaps are overly optimistic when compared with the time taken to develop offshore wind energy in fixed structures for shallow waters. Several countries have adopted supporting policies following the publication of the roadmaps, but weaknesses in crucial innovation processes (e.g. specialized skills) and external factors (e.g. crisis, regulatory approval) resulted in a delay of the first large investments. Policy should be based on realistic expectations and adequate to the phase of innovation, such as the promotion of technology-specific institutions (standards, codes, regulations and so on) in technology up-scaling. New directions for research are also provided.
- Transformative business models for decarbonization: The case of Web Summit award-winning start-upsPublication . Costa, Evaldo; Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaABSTRACT: The social demand for decarbonization has placed increasing pressure on businesses to contribute actively to mitigate the risks of a climate disruption resulting from carbon emissions. The development of new business models capable of transforming conventional systems of production and consumption and replacing them with more sustainable alternatives is one critical step towards this goal. This study combines several streams of literature including sustainability transitions and business model theories to investigate the key elements of the business models that have the potential to transform the provision of goods and services in a way that enables the transition to a low carbon society. We investigate the start-ups and relate to the extent to which they avoid, shift or improve the production or consumption of goods and services in a way that significantly reduces carbon emissions. For that, we analyze the start-ups that received innovation awards on the Web of Summit between 2014-2020.
- Challenges and opportunities of decarbonization for the economic recovery post-pandemic: The question of directionality in innovation policiesPublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, Margarida; Barbosa, Juliana; Mamede, Ricardo PaesABSTRACT: Countries face a double challenge of unprecedented scale consisting in drastically reducing carbon emissions in the time of a generation, while recovering the economy from the worst pandemic crisis in a century. Innovation is key in the response to this double challenge. Innovation policies are increasingly directed at achieving both goals, as governments seek opportunities for transforming the economic structure along with decarbonization. We raise the question of the effect of the direction in the success of the policies for the sustainability transition to achieve the economic transformation. We start by analyzing the processes of change in the economic structure. We identify three possible strategies of transformation: decarbonization, dematerialization and digitalization. Then we compare the evolution of the economic complexity of Portugal, which aspires to transform its economy, with that of three countries that are respectively reference in each one of the three strategies: Denmark, The Netherlands, and Ireland. Successful strategies evidence specialization in products that involve extensive and sophisticated knowledge, produced with high connectivity to other activities and with low carbon footprint. Based on these results and informed by the theory, we propose a set of conditions—related to the promotion of connectivity to growing sectors, high social return technologies and variety—that need to be aligned in the direction of the policies in order to increase their potential for transformative change.
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