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Public Research and Development Funding for Renewable Energy Technologies in Europe: A Cross-Country Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Maximilian Gasser

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Simon Pezzutto

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Wolfram Sparber

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Eric Wilczynski

    (Institute for Renewable Energy, European Academy of Bolzano (EURAC Research), Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

Abstract

The European Union recognizes the vital role that innovation in renewable energy technologies plays in accelerating the energy transition. In the largest ever transnational research and innovation program, Horizon Europe (2021–2027), the EU allocated 35% of the total budget of €95.5 billion to green technology research. This paper examines public research and development (R&D) funding for renewable energy technologies in 17 European countries from 2000 to 2020 by analyzing its extent, composition, and effectiveness. While large economies lead in the size of total available public R&D support, Nordic countries lead when it comes to available public R&D funding relative to the sizes of their respective economies. Thereby, the share of the European Union’s funding within the total public R&D support available in each country is vastly heterogeneous across countries, ranging from 13% to 63%. Furthermore, based on detailed and recent data, the effectiveness of public R&D funding is estimated through a Negative Binomial Regression model with fixed effects. Overall, public R&D funding is confirmed as an effective driver of green innovation. Like in previous studies, limitations stem from restricted data availability and temporal uncertainty of innovation. These limitations are addressed, which shall incentivize future research and policymaking.

Suggested Citation

  • Maximilian Gasser & Simon Pezzutto & Wolfram Sparber & Eric Wilczynski, 2022. "Public Research and Development Funding for Renewable Energy Technologies in Europe: A Cross-Country Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-28, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:9:p:5557-:d:809076
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    2. Li, Wei & Cao, Ning & Xiang, Zejia, 2023. "Drivers of renewable energy transition: The role of ICT, human development, financialization, and R&D investment in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 441-450.
    3. Lucie Kurekova & Klara Cermakova & Eduard Hromada & Bozena Kaderabkova, 2023. "Public funding in R&D and R&D outcome sustainable development: Analysis of Member States EU," International Journal of Economic Sciences, European Research Center, vol. 12(2), pages 40-62, November.
    4. Hosan, Shahadat & Sen, Kanchan Kumar & Rahman, Md Matiar & Chapman, Andrew J. & Karmaker, Shamal Chandra & Alam, Mohammad Jahangir & Saha, Bidyut Baran, 2024. "Energy innovation funding and social equity: Mediating role of just energy transition," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).

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