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FORFI-Kunnsk.gr.l.f.forskn.innov.pol

Role of demonstration projects in innovation: transition to sustainable energy and transport

Awarded: NOK 3.0 mill.

The objective of the InnoDemo project was to - understand the role of trial and demonstration projects for innovation and transition processes - develop a new and comparative data set over such projects, to perform a survey with the project leaders and to do interview-based case studies of such projects - perform a comparative analysis of trial and demonstration projects for sustainable transport and energy solutions in Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway and Sweden) - discuss governance of funding programmes with programme coordinators in all three countries. Against this background, we had following research questions: 1. What are the main contributions of Scandinavian demonstration and trial projects and programmes to sustainable energy and transport transitions? 2. How should the governance of such projects and programmes be developed to further support their contribution? The project was organised in five work packages. WP1 analysed the existing literature on demonstration and trial projects, public procurement of such projects and studies on the impact of R&D programmes, which have a focus on demonstration. The results gave a major input for the other work packages, providing clear definitions and a working set of indicators. WP2 constructed an inventory of past (2002-2012) demonstration and trial projects for sustainable energy and transport in the Scandinavian countries. WP3 included a survey of demonstration and trial projects and measurement of their outcomes. Social network analysis provided insights on collaboration patterns. WP4 included focus groups and interviews with programme coordinators and interviews with relevant participants and stakeholders in demonstration and trials projects. The focus groups concentrated on Norway to discuss the results and governance implications. WP5 synthesised main results. The WP included a final seminar where the relevance of the results for future policy development and a policy brief were discussed. The project has been a collaboration between NIFU, CIRCLE at Lund University and DTU Management Engineering, Technology & Innovation Management at the Technical University of Denmark.

The aim of this project is to gain a better understanding of the contributions of demonstration and trial projects and dedicated programmes to transitions to sustainable energy and transport. Such contributions can be categorized as outcomes, effects and impact. Against this background, we have following research questions: 1. What are the main contributions of Scandinavian demonstration and trial projects and programmes to sustainable energy and transport transitions? 2. How should the governance of suc h projects and programmes be developed to further support their contribution? The project is organised in five work packages. WP1 will analyse the existing literature on demonstration and trial projects, public procurement of such projects and studies o n the impact of R&D programmes which have a focus on demonstration. The results will be a major input for the other work packages, giving clear definitions and a working set of indicators. WP2 will construct an inventory of past (2002-2012)demonstration a nd trial projects for sustainable energy and transport in the Scandinavian countries. WP3 will include a survey of demonstration and trial projects and measurement of their outcomes. Both success and 'failed' cases will be included. Social network analys is will provide insights on the importance of the projects for collaboration patterns. WP4 will carry out focus groups and interviews with relevant participants and stakeholders in demonstration and trials projects. The focus groups will concentrate on N orway to discuss the results and governance implications of WP3. WP5 will synthesise main results to provide an assessment of the effects of demonstration projects and trials, governance conditions for successful scaling up and consequences this process m ay have on the market introduction of new technologies. The WP will include a workshop where the relevance of the results for future policy development will be discussed and a policy brief.

Funding scheme:

FORFI-Kunnsk.gr.l.f.forskn.innov.pol

Thematic Areas and Topics