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Promoting low-carbon transitions from a two-world regime: Hydro and wind in Québec, Canada

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  • Haley, Brendan

Abstract

Technical synergies exist between wind energy and hydroelectricity because conventional hydro plants can effectively store wind in their reservoirs. However, the presence of low-cost, lowcarbon hydro resources could also inhibit wind energy development. This paper examines the tension between wind-hydro complementarity and competition through a case study of Québec, Canada. The case highlights that debate over the societal conception of the hydroelectric system, or “regime”, and its potential to enable wind, creates different innovation pathways. The paper calls attention to the value of shielding and nurturing renewable energy niches to create transformative pressures that activate the complementary potential of existing technologies. To maintain momentum a wind-hydro development block will need to expand towards incorporating new technologies and geographies.

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  • Haley, Brendan, 2014. "Promoting low-carbon transitions from a two-world regime: Hydro and wind in Québec, Canada," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 777-788.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:73:y:2014:i:c:p:777-788
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.05.015
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    3. Hojckova, Kristina & Ahlborg, Helene & Morrison, Gregory M. & Sandén, Björn, 2020. "Entrepreneurial use of context for technological system creation and expansion: The case of blockchain-based peer-to-peer electricity trading," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(8).
    4. Dewick, Paul & Foster, Chris, 2018. "Focal Organisations and Eco–innovation in Consumption and Production Systems," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 161-169.
    5. Leitch, Aletta & Haley, Brendan & Hastings-Simon, Sara, 2019. "Can the oil and gas sector enable geothermal technologies? Socio-technical opportunities and complementarity failures in Alberta, Canada," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 384-395.
    6. Wang, Chao & Zhan, Jinyan & Xin, Zhongling, 2020. "Comparative analysis of urban ecological management models incorporating low-carbon transformation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    7. Zhao, Zhen-Yu & Chang, Rui-Dong & Chen, Yu-Long, 2016. "What hinder the further development of wind power in China?—A socio-technical barrier study," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 465-476.
    8. Haley, Brendan, 2018. "Integrating structural tensions into technological innovation systems analysis: Application to the case of transmission interconnections and renewable electricity in Nova Scotia, Canada," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(6), pages 1147-1160.

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