School of Social and Political Science

Publications

1 January 2004 - 31 December 2005

Climate change is now recognised as a key driver of energy policy internationally, and the British government has signalled that renewable energy technologies should be central in the future development of the UK electricity supply industry. In this context, renewable technologies are seen not only as appropriate responses to climate change, but also as opportunities for building new industrial and innovation systems. Parts of the UK, such as Scotland, have substantial renewable energy resources, and research and industrial bases that could take advantage of new market opportunities. In practice, adapting industrial and innovation systems to emerging technologies is far from straightforward.

This project will examine enablers and barriers to developing innovation systems in wind (on- and off-shore) and marine (tidal and wave) technologies in the UK, with a particular focus on Scotland. The aim is to inform policy support for these strategically-important industries. Comparisons will be drawn with renewables innovation systems elsewhere in Europe.

Contact: Mark Winskel