Innovation and institutional change: the transition to a sustainable ...

Evolution of decentral cogeneration in the Netherlands 133
Table 5.1 Typology of linkages of production-consumption systems to wider
societal subsystems and the nature of their institutionalisation in the early
1970s
Subsystem – type of linkage to
production-consumption system
1) Economic system
Nature of institutionalisation for the electricity
system
- mode of coordination Set of rules regarding grid connection, parallel power
production, back up power, hampers power delivery
to the grid for actors outside the electricity sector
- industrial organisation Monopolistic organisation of e-sector hampers
emergence of alternative organisational forms for
electricity generation and provision
- mode of provision External electricity provision taken for granted in
industry; tariff structures supportive for larger
consumers, energy-intensive industry.
- perception of nature of problems –
solutions
2) Knowledge infrastructure
Electricity costs and reliability are main issues for
industry, generally accepted that this is the
responsibility of the electricity sector and trust in
their ability to secure long-term supply and solve
related problems. Only dissent from VKW
(association of self-producers) who argue that
industrial self-production is in various cases more
efficient
- mode of coordination Support structures, information flows, and advisory
committees strongly dominated by proponents of the
system: no support for, and information flows about,
alternative technologies and designs
- mode of organisation Educational and research organisations linked to
central station electricity system: alternative designs
overlooked and rarely educated and investigated
- perception of nature of problems –
solutions
3) Policy system
Main problem of securing long-term supply solved by
changeover to nuclear power, alternatives are
overlooked and rarely investigated
- mode of coordination Acceptance of natural monopoly for electricity as
public good; high autonomy for electricity sector in
setting prices and contracts; major role policy on
resource inputs
- organisation of policy Energy departments reflect fossil resources, nuclear
energy and focus on supply for economic growth
- mode of communication Strong interaction with electricity sector regarding
energy issues
- relation to political, societal goals Congruence between goals of sector and government
- perception of nature of problems - Enabling the ‘growth dynamic’ paradigm to continue