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Constructing China’s wind energy innovation system

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  • Klagge, Britta
  • Liu, Zhigao
  • Campos Silva, Pedro

Abstract

The rapid rise of China as the largest wind energy market worldwide with several global leaders in turbine manufacturing received much attention from both scholarly and policy-analytical work. However, little attention has been given to the innovation activities of the Chinese wind industry. In our paper, we aim to address this gap, based on second-hand sources and over 50 personal interviews with wind energy-related experts. We argue that China’s wind industry has made great progress in terms of manufacturing and installing, but is confronted with various challenges and problems regarding the development of its indigenous innovation capabilities. Using innovation systems approaches as an analytical tool and focusing on institutions, actors, technology and their interaction in supporting innovation activities, we decompose the elements of China’s wind energy innovation system and their role in developing the domestic wind industry. Against this backdrop we identify and discuss challenges and obstacles in the development of an innovation-driven wind industry in China. The paper strongly argues that more attention should be paid to improve the coordination and cooperation among the various actors of the wind energy innovation system, to the build-up of a market-oriented education and training system as well as to intellectual property protection.

Suggested Citation

  • Klagge, Britta & Liu, Zhigao & Campos Silva, Pedro, 2012. "Constructing China’s wind energy innovation system," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 370-382.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:50:y:2012:i:c:p:370-382
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.07.033
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    3. Klein, Malte & Sauer, Andreas, 2016. "Celebrating 30 years of innovation system research: What you need to know about innovation systems," Hohenheim Discussion Papers in Business, Economics and Social Sciences 17-2016, University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences.
    4. Yuan, Jiahai & Na, Chunning & Xu, Yan & Zhao, Changhong, 2015. "Wind turbine manufacturing in China: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 1235-1244.
    5. Lin, Boqiang & Chen, Yufang, 2019. "Impacts of policies on innovation in wind power technologies in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 682-691.
    6. Valentin Grimoux, 2018. "China’s Energy Policy & Investments and their Impact on the Sub-Saharan African Region," Working Papers 2018.27, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    7. Grafström, Jonas, 2019. "Public policy failures related to China´s Wind Power Development," Ratio Working Papers 320, The Ratio Institute.
    8. Zhigao Liu & Yimei Yin & Weidong Liu & Michael Dunford, 2015. "Visualizing the intellectual structure and evolution of innovation systems research: a bibliometric analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 103(1), pages 135-158, April.
    9. Lam, Long T. & Branstetter, Lee & Azevedo, Inês M.L., 2017. "China's wind industry: Leading in deployment, lagging in innovation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 588-599.
    10. Diógenes, Jamil Ramsi Farkat & Claro, João & Rodrigues, José Coelho, 2019. "Barriers to onshore wind farm implementation in Brazil," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 253-266.
    11. Lema, Rasmus & Berger, Axel & Schmitz, Hubert, 2012. "China’s impact on the global wind power industry," IDOS Discussion Papers 16/2012, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    12. Grimoux, Valentin, 2018. "China’s Energy Policy & Investments and their Impact on the Sub-Saharan African Region," ESP: Energy Scenarios and Policy 276177, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    13. Gu, Jing & Renwick, Neil & Xue, Lan, 2018. "The BRICS and Africa's search for green growth, clean energy and sustainable development," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 675-683.

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