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Innovation performance of the US American and European electricity supply industry

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  • Burger, Christoph
  • Weinmann, Jens

Abstract

Using a production function approach based on Cobb–Douglas, this analysis relates R&D efforts of 32 electric utilities on both sides of the Atlantic to their performance in terms of labour productivity. We find that higher R&D levels generally have a positive impact on revenues. However, only in the sub-sample of 16 electricity suppliers in Europe this effect is significant. Knowledge spill-over effects can be estimated for the US American sub-sample, since US utilities have bundled their R&D efforts in a centralized research institution and have to report that data. Our analysis reveals, though, that collaborative research efforts do not lead to positive spill-overs at the assumption of a time delay of one year.

Suggested Citation

  • Burger, Christoph & Weinmann, Jens, 2015. "Innovation performance of the US American and European electricity supply industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 351-359.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:86:y:2015:i:c:p:351-359
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.07.016
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    1. Sköld, David & Fornstedt, Helena & Lindahl, Marcus, 2018. "Dilution of innovation utility, reinforcing the reluctance towards the new: An upstream supplier perspective on a fragmented electricity industry," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 220-231.
    2. Mohammad Nure Alam, 2021. "Accessing the Effect of Renewables on the Wholesale Power Market," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(2), pages 341-360.

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