Combined effects of energy sector development: assessing the impact on research and innovation

ENThere is a growing understanding that energy strategies must not only consider least-cost energy supply options, but also consider various side effects and different perspectives, such as security, customer empowerment, and the impacts on research and innovation systems. However, a framework is needed to prepare and develop a particular country’s energy strategy. This article aims to assess the combined effects of energy sector development on research and innovation by considering a novel approach that integrates different methods in its assessment. The article’s methodological approach is based on the Delphi Technique, expert evaluations and quantitative description of chosen impact factors. The Delphi Technique is used to form a set of impact factors – such as whether smart specialisation exists relative to a particular technology, the number of patents or the amount of funding – and define important stages in the technology life cycle. Expert evaluations are then used to determine the significance of various factors and integrate multidimensional impacts. The developed novel approach allows for an assessment of the combined effects of the Lithuanian energy sector’s development on research and innovation. This assessment reveals that the green scenario of the Lithuanian energy sector’s development contributes the most to increasing research and innovation. The developed approach can be applied in both technology screening and analyses of comprehensive energy-development scenarios prepared with energy system models. Further, these findings extend the understanding of important links between energy sector’s development and research and innovation while observing the problem from different perspectives. [From the publication]

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