Innovation in Energy Technology

Innovation in energy technology is becoming increasingly important to meet growing demand for energy amidst concern about the security of energy supplies and calls for greater environmental protection. Governments across the OECD are investing considerable sums in R&D on new energy technologies, such as fuel cells, and seeking ways to speed their deployment and smooth the transition to a more sustainable, hydrogen-based economy. What steps are they taking? What lessons can be learned from the experiences of other countries? How do energy innovation systems differ among countries and how can policy account for such differences? This report reviews efforts under way in a number of OECD countries to advance innovation in energy technology, with a particular focus on hydrogen fuel cells. It compares energy innovation systems in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, the United Kingdom and United States to identify the roles of government, industry, universities and other public research organisations in the innovation process. It also examines the policies governments are implementing to finance needed research and development and to stimulate market demand for innovative energy technologies. The report forms part of a larger effort to compare innovation processes in different industry sectors and technological fields to provide policy guidance and to more fully elaborate the national innovation systems approach to policy making.Related reading:Innovation in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology: Comparing National Innovation Systems at the Sectoral Level, OECD (2006)Governance of Innovation Systems, Volume 1: Synthesis Report, OECD (2005)Innovation Policy and Performance: A Cross-Country Comparison, OECD (2005)