Energy systems and innovation

The transition to sustainable, low-carbon energy systems will require the development and deployment of a range of new and existing energy technologies. These technologies will be required to deliver substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. They could also have wider economic benefits through the establishment of new firms, industries, skills and jobs. This chapter provides some context to subsequent chapters that focus on particular energy technologies or fuels. The main aim of the chapter is to discuss different approaches to the analysis of innovation for more sustainable energy systems, to examine some recent global trends in energy technology innovation, and to discuss some implications for government policies and for the subsequent chapters that focus on specific energy technologies.