International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and China
There are many promising renewable energy (RE) technologies that could help increase the contribution of RE in energy supply but which are not yet commercially available. The development rate of new RE technologies depends on many factors, such as Research and Development (R&D) efforts and polic...
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MDPI AG
2022-09-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/17/6383 |
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| author | Wina Crijns-Graus Patricia Wild Mehdi Parvizi Amineh Jing Hu Hui Yue |
| author_facet | Wina Crijns-Graus Patricia Wild Mehdi Parvizi Amineh Jing Hu Hui Yue |
| author_sort | Wina Crijns-Graus |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | There are many promising renewable energy (RE) technologies that could help increase the contribution of RE in energy supply but which are not yet commercially available. The development rate of new RE technologies depends on many factors, such as Research and Development (R&D) efforts and policies. This study focuses on comparing China’s efforts regarding the development of new RE technologies (e.g., wave and tidal, binary geothermal power, floating solar, micro hydro, osmotic energy, floating offshore wind and vertical axis wind turbines) with those of the European Union (EU). For this purpose, we collected data from publications and databases and analysed several indicators: e.g., the development of renewable electricity generation and capacity, demonstration projects, investments in R&D and patent applications. The results show that China has become a big player globally for mainstream renewable electricity (hydropower, wind and solar PV). This development is due to China’s industrial policy and prioritization of effectiveness over cost efficiency. The main developments in China occurred in the 2010s, while the EU was a frontrunner in the 2000s. For the newer or less mainstream technologies, the application in China is still low, compared to the EU, except for floating solar, where China is a lead player. Regarding patent applications, China has shown a higher application amount compared to the EU since 2006. However, only a small share of China’s patents are valid internationally. We conclude that China has emerged as a big player in mainstream renewable energy technologies over the last decade. In regard to new renewable energy technologies, China is predominantly involved in solar energy and, in comparison to the EU, less in other new technologies (e.g., binary geothermal systems and ocean energy). |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:51:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7e235597ec9d4e3ca8d09bf7e8ea6fbe |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T01:51:07Z |
| publishDate | 2022-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-7e235597ec9d4e3ca8d09bf7e8ea6fbe2023-11-23T13:05:13ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732022-09-011517638310.3390/en15176383International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and ChinaWina Crijns-Graus0Patricia Wild1Mehdi Parvizi Amineh2Jing Hu3Hui Yue4Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The NetherlandsDepartment of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WV Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Political Science, University of Amsterdam, 1018 WV Amsterdam, The NetherlandsCopernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The NetherlandsCopernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB Utrecht, The NetherlandsThere are many promising renewable energy (RE) technologies that could help increase the contribution of RE in energy supply but which are not yet commercially available. The development rate of new RE technologies depends on many factors, such as Research and Development (R&D) efforts and policies. This study focuses on comparing China’s efforts regarding the development of new RE technologies (e.g., wave and tidal, binary geothermal power, floating solar, micro hydro, osmotic energy, floating offshore wind and vertical axis wind turbines) with those of the European Union (EU). For this purpose, we collected data from publications and databases and analysed several indicators: e.g., the development of renewable electricity generation and capacity, demonstration projects, investments in R&D and patent applications. The results show that China has become a big player globally for mainstream renewable electricity (hydropower, wind and solar PV). This development is due to China’s industrial policy and prioritization of effectiveness over cost efficiency. The main developments in China occurred in the 2010s, while the EU was a frontrunner in the 2000s. For the newer or less mainstream technologies, the application in China is still low, compared to the EU, except for floating solar, where China is a lead player. Regarding patent applications, China has shown a higher application amount compared to the EU since 2006. However, only a small share of China’s patents are valid internationally. We conclude that China has emerged as a big player in mainstream renewable energy technologies over the last decade. In regard to new renewable energy technologies, China is predominantly involved in solar energy and, in comparison to the EU, less in other new technologies (e.g., binary geothermal systems and ocean energy).https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/17/6383energy transitionChinaEuropean Unioninvestmentsresearch and developmentpatents |
| spellingShingle | Wina Crijns-Graus Patricia Wild Mehdi Parvizi Amineh Jing Hu Hui Yue International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and China Energies energy transition China European Union investments research and development patents |
| title | International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and China |
| title_full | International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and China |
| title_fullStr | International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and China |
| title_full_unstemmed | International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and China |
| title_short | International Comparison of Research and Investments in New Renewable Electricity Technologies: A Focus on the European Union and China |
| title_sort | international comparison of research and investments in new renewable electricity technologies a focus on the european union and china |
| topic | energy transition China European Union investments research and development patents |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/17/6383 |
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