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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 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.
- Unleashing the industrial transformative capacity of innovationsPublication . Fontes, Margarida; Bento, Nuno; Andersen, Allan DahlABSTRACT: This paper investigates the conditions in which the development of new technologies induce structural change in the economy. A literature review reveals three factors that influence the industrial transformative capacity of a technology: context; complementarities; competition. We explore the dynamics of these factors, focusing on the extent and nature of induced activities in adjacent sectors. We apply this framework to study marine renewable energy technologies (MRET) in Portugal. Adjacent sector firms active in several MRET exhibited diversified activity, innovation and internal change. Comparing with Norway, where an offshore sector (oil & gas) supports the emergence of offshore wind, the absence of such sector in Portugal raises challenges but also creates opportunities for the transformation of several other sectors. We develop a new indicator to identify and compare the industrial transformative capacity of innovations. Finally, we discuss the extent to which context, complementarities and competition contribute to accelerate or hinder transformative change.
- Technological innovations in decarbonisation strategies: a text-mining approach to technological readiness and potentialPublication . Costa, Paulo Moisés; Duarte, António; Tomé, Paulo; Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaABSTRACT: This study presents a novel, multifaceted approach to evaluating decarbonisation technologies by integrating advanced text-mining tools with comprehensive data analysis. The analysis of scientific documents (2011-2021) and mapping 368 technologies from the IEA's Energy Technology Perspectives identified 41 technology domains, including 20 with the highest relevance and occurrence. Domain readiness was assessed using mean Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and linked to six decarbonisation pathways. The "Electrification of uses" pathway ranked highest, demonstrating significant CO2 mitigation potential and high readiness (mean TRL 7.4, with two-thirds of technologies scoring over 7) despite challenges in hard-to-electrify sectors. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers, highlighting the need for pathway-specific strategies, a deeper understanding of synergies between pathways, and balancing innovation with deployment to accelerate decarbonisation.
- The capacity for adopting energy innovations in Portugal: historical evidence and perspectives for the futurePublication . Bento, Nuno; Fontes, MargaridaThis paper investigates the speed of adoption of energy technologies in a traditionally innovation importing country, Portugal, as compared with countries where these technologies first started. Data were collected on the growth of eight energy-related technologies, both energy supply (e.g. natural gas plants, wind turbines) and end-use (e.g., motorcycles). The analysis is done in terms of the evolution of the number of units and installed capacity, indicating possible scale effects. The results show an average adoption lag of one to two decades relatively to “Core” countries. However, the growth rate increases when a technology arrives at Portugal, confirming the hypothesis that adoption accelerates when technology reaches new markets. Additionally, the duration of diffusion in Portugal is less constrained by the final scale of diffusion, contrasting with previous observations for the Core. The data also uncover the successful diffusion of wind energy in Portugal, showing that growth took off less than a decade after the diffusion in the Core, and achieving similar levels of intensity. The analysis suggests that this was supported by the improvement in the adoption capacity, associated with the development of a wind energy innovation system. These findings open new perspectives for the spatial diffusion of sustainable innovations.