The development trajectory and technological innovation capabilities in the global renewable energy industry

摘要

This study investigates the developmental trajectories of seven renewable energy technologies, namely geothermal, ocean, hydro, solar thermal, photovoltaic, thermal-PV hybrids, and wind energies, as well as the technological innovation capabilities of the global major players and countries. By using a set of patent classifications dedicated for renewable energies, this study identifies and analyses a total number of 127,705 renewable energy patent grants between 1970 and 2013. The results show that the technological development of renewables evolved as a consequence of, and focused on, solar thermal in the 1980s but it has extended to photovoltaic in the 2000s. Using the Relative Growth Rate indicator, our results reveal the developmental trends of future renewable energies in relation to R&D concentration in major countries. This study also demonstrates the various technological innovation capabilities of major countries, such as the US, Japan, Germany, China, and Korea in developing the seven above-mentioned renewable energy industries, by means of Relative Patent Position and Revealed Patent Advantage. One of our striking findings is China's astonishing accomplishments in patenting activities in relation to renewable energies, which have surpassed those of Western technologically advanced countries since the year 2000. China is now ranked first in terms of renewable patenting activities, demonstrating China's ambition in leading not only the production power house of the world but also that it is a pioneer in global renewable energy technologies.