Dutch innovation system examined – and found wanting

20 Feb 2007 | News | Update from University of Warwick
These updates are republished press releases and communications from members of the Science|Business Network
A Dutch PhD student has found that the Dutch government is failing in five of seven key factors needed for successful innovation in energy.

biomass
Dutch PhD student Simona Negro has found – in the case of green energy projects at least – that the Dutch government is failing in five of seven key factors needed for successful innovation. While it is good in the areas of knowledge development and diffusion, it is failing to be supportive in five other essential areas.

According to Negro, the Dutch government’s energy policy is characterised by capriciousness, lack of a constant vision on the direction of research, and little enthusiasm for developing a reliable market for sustainable energy.

So although many novel technologies are devised, it remains very risky for entrepreneurs to translate them into new technological ventures. German entrepreneurs have an easier time, due to a more efficient innovation system.

Negro bases her analysis on the history of four sustainable energy technologies: biomass digestion, biomass gasification, biomass combustion and co-combustion of biomass in coal-fired power stations. The success of these technologies not only depends on technological performance but also on the environment, or innovation system, in which they are developed and applied.

Her study, “Dynamics of Technological Innovation Systems – The case of biomass energy” was part of the programme BioPUSH: integrated strategies for identifying optimal BIOenergy Production and Utilisation Systems, funded by the Netherlands’ Organisation for Scientific Research.


Never miss an update from Science|Business:   Newsletter sign-up