Analysis of the European energy innovation system: Contribution of the Framework Programmes to the EU policy objectives

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2021-05, Vol.298, p.126690, Article 126690
• Main Authors: Calvo-Gallardo, Elena, Arranz, Nieves, Fernández de Arroyabe, Juan Carlos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy policy; European union; Research networks; Research policy; Seventh framework program; Social network analysis
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.126690

This study analyses the properties of the networks constructed by the funded energy-related research consortia to assess their support to the objectives of the European Union’s energy technologies and research policies. By developing research consortia, partners and projects are linked to form a network that generates relationship networks (innovation systems). Although many authors assessed this innovation system from different perspectives, few studies aim to identify the properties of its networks. From the innovation systems perspective, this study fills this gap in the literature by applying Social Network Analysis to determine the network cohesion properties and the centrality measures of its nodes, thereby enlarging the innovation systems literature in the field of modelling and performance assessment. The results indicate that the effectiveness of the innovation systems depends on the geographical distribution of the consortia and the diversity of the participants, revealing significant performance differences in each of the research fields within the energy programme. Based on these conclusions, this paper provides recommendations for policymakers and participants in these European research programmes. •The EU funds collaborative research as a crucial driver for achieving its energy and climate goals.•The research projects and consortia funded by the EU R&D Programmes create an innovation system.•The innovation system has underlying networks whose properties affect the achievement of EU policy goals.•Social network analysis can describe the network cohesion properties and its node centrality metrics.•Policymakers and participants can use the network properties and nodes metrics to achieve larger impacts.