Taking new technologies to market - some fundamental principles

摘要

The step between a laboratory-scale research project and a full-scale, commercially-viable, scheme which will attract financial support from investors is large. Considerable effort needs to be expended by the developer to demonstrate that the risks involved in moving from test-bed into a competitive, environmentally-sensitive, real world are mitigated to the maximum extent and borne by the project participants most able to control them. The paper considers a generic fuel-energy conversion process and describes the commercial climate in which such a project has to develop, grow and survive. Key ingredients for a successful project are identified and the way in which independently-owned power projects are structured is described. The author presents his views from the standpoint of an "independent engineer", his organization often being employed in such a role by project financiers to appraise energy projects employing novel technologies.