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Constructing Success in the Electric Power Industry: Flexibility and the Gas Turbine

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Abstract

This paper explains the success and failure of two technologies that generate electricity from fossil fuels. Both the Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) and fluidised bed boiler burn fossil fuels more cleanly than more traditional technologies. Whereas the CCGT has been used for an increasing number of new power plants during the past fifteen years, the latter has struggled to attract attention outside a small-scale niche. The paper draws on economic and social constructivist approaches to technical change. It shows how a combination of economic, institutional and political factors can be used to explain success and failure. It also demonstrates the importance of technological flexibility for the long term development of the CCGT and its acceptance as the power industry's current technology of choice.

Suggested Citation

  • Jim Watson, 2001. "Constructing Success in the Electric Power Industry: Flexibility and the Gas Turbine," SPRU Working Paper Series 64, SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School.
    • Handle: RePEc:sru:ssewps:64
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    File URL: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/spru/publications/imprint/sewps/sewp64/sewp64.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. MacKerron, Gordon, 1992. "Nuclear costs : Why do they keep rising?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 20(7), pages 641-652, July.
    2. Arthur, W Brian, 1989. "Competing Technologies, Increasing Returns, and Lock-In by Historical Events," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 99(394), pages 116-131, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Vallentin, Daniel, 2007. "Inducing the international diffusion of carbon capture and storage technologies in the power sector," Wuppertal Papers 162, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.
    2. Candida J Whitmill, 2012. "Is UK Energy Policy Driving Energy Innovation — Or Stifling it?," Energy & Environment, , vol. 23(6-7), pages 993-1004, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    technical change; flexibility; CCGT; fluidised bed boiler;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L95 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Gas Utilities; Pipelines; Water Utilities
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights

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