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Bringing rigour to energy innovation policy evaluation

Abstract:
Clean energy innovation is pivotal for low-cost energy sector decarbonization. Substantial public research and development funding is spent on energy innovation. Generating more evidence on which support mechanisms most effectively drive clean energy innovations, and why, could improve their design moving forward. In this Perspective, we discuss five challenges that researchers often face when attempting to rigorously evaluate energy innovation policies and public subsidy programmes. We recommend solutions, such as developing new innovation outcome metrics that consider unique features of the energy sector and building databases that cover long time periods. We also suggest that researchers and funding agencies work together to implement randomized control trials or conduct quasi-experimental evaluation of existing programmes and policies wherever possible.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41560-020-0557-1

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
SSD
Department:
SOGE
Sub department:
Geography
Role:
Author
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
SSD
Department:
SOGE
Sub department:
Geography
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-0467-7441


Publisher:
Nature Research
Journal:
Nature Energy More from this journal
Volume:
5
Issue:
4
Pages:
284-290
Publication date:
2020-02-17
Acceptance date:
2020-01-10
DOI:
EISSN:
2058-7546
ISSN:
2058-7546


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1089289
Local pid:
pubs:1089289
Deposit date:
2020-08-05

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