Assessing the effects of digitalization on the amenity of clean energy supply chains: Policy insights from OECD countries

The integration of digital solutions into existing energy infrastructure is crucial for enhancing the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of energy systems. However, successful integration requires careful planning and implementation. Digitalization also brings efficiency, flexibility, and reliability to an energy system, which requires a strong supply chain mechanism. This paper seeks to analyze the effect of energy system digitalization on the vulnerabilities of clean energy technology value chains in the OECD countries from 2000 to 2021, controlling for ecological footprint, renewable energy consumption, non-renewable energy consumption, and economic performance. Digitalization of energy systems, renewable energy consumption and Non-renewable energy consumption are found to be inversely related to securing the supply chain. The secure supply chain of clean energy technology has a direct and positive relationship with the ecological footprint and energy system digitalization, renewable energy consumption, non-renewable energy consumption and securing supply chains for clean energy technology are interrelated. Energy system digitalization supports clean energy technology supply chain resilience by positively correlated with renewable energy consumption but negatively correlated with non-renewable energy consumption. OECD countries should set up an overarching and coordinated system for reviewing, evaluating or auditing the performance of current and proposed schemes and steps linked to sustainability, distributed generation and electricity technologies, carbon dioxide emissions, and enhancement of energy systems.