Why and How to Subsidise Energy R+D: Lessons from the Collapse and Recovery of Electricity Innovation in the UK

Jamasb, T.; Pollitt, M.G.

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2015.01.041

Why and How to Subsidise Energy R+D: Lessons from the Collapse and Recovery of Electricity Innovation in the UK

Jamasb, T.; Pollitt, M.G.

Authors

T. Jamasb

M.G. Pollitt

Abstract

The UK electricity sector liberalisation was a pioneer in the worldwide reform trend and its reform model and outcomes have been the subject of many studies. However, lesser known are the effects of privatisation, market based reforms, and incentive regulation of networks on research and development as well as patenting activities in the sector. This paper updates our previous studies of this subject and discusses the recent developments in the innovative activities in the UK electricity sector. We find that, in recent years, the initial absence of support policies and the subsequent decline in innovation efforts in the aftermath of the reform has resulted in efforts towards forming an energy technology and innovation policy. Although we already observe some positive outcomes from these efforts, we discuss whether the balance of the innovation efforts are calibrated appropriately and whether the institutional framework can be further improved to promote long term progress.

Citation

Jamasb, T., & Pollitt, M. (2015). Why and How to Subsidise Energy R+D: Lessons from the Collapse and Recovery of Electricity Innovation in the UK. Energy Policy, 83, 197-205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.01.041

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Jan 29, 2015
Publication Date	Aug 1, 2015
Deposit Date	May 20, 2015
Publicly Available Date	Feb 26, 2016
Journal	Energy Policy
Print ISSN	0301-4215
Publisher	Elsevier
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	83
Pages	197-205
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2015.01.041
Keywords	Energy technology, Innovation, Liberalisation, Research and development.
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1437693

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Copyright Statement
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Energy Policy. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Energy Policy, 83, August 2015, 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.01.041.