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

140 Chapter 5
Table 5.2 Main changes in linkages of electricity system to societal fields
(1972-83)
Knowledge Politics Economy Society
Macro
Transformation of
energy innovation
system: new steering
organisations emerge;
new R&D directions
complement nuclear
energy with range of
alternatives
Meso Changing linkages in
the energy knowledge
infrastructure;
increasing
mobilisation and
organisation of actors
for routes alternative
to nuclear energy
Micro Emergence of energy
(system) research
centers; increase of
researchers focussing
on alternative routes
Shift in
orientation
towards energy
saving; emergence
of integral energy
policy;
government aims
to increase control
on electricity
sector;
Changing linkages
between politics
and civil society;
informal networks
between policymakers
and
societal groups
Built up of
competences
regarding
alternatives,
changes in
routines regarding
energy policy
making and
energy technology
policy
Stronger and more
organised voice of
industry to allow
for selfproduction;
increasing role in
energy policy and
R&D directions
Adaptation to
changing setting
and demands; renegotiation
of grid
connection rules
Companies
increase
orientation
towards energy
issues and costs;
gas turbines
installed in some
industries
Process of
democratisation; wave
of environmental
concern (media
attention) and nuclear
protest; higher level of
organisation of
environmental groups
5.5 Chain reaction: understanding the fast rise of
cogeneration
Expansion of the knowledge base
Built up of expertise,
information and
communication flows
regarding alternatives to
the existing system,
formation of energy
related interest and
action groups
Interest groups emerge
focusing on energy
issues with varying
strategies; increased
understanding of nature
of environmental and
energy problems
In the early eighties the knowledge base for cogeneration slowly expanded.
Companies with processes that demand continuous steam and electricity
became more and more aware of the opportunities of cogeneration with gas
turbines and combined cycles, for example in 1980 VKW conducted twenty
studies regarding the feasibility of cogeneration in various companies and