Transition to Renewable Energy in the Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean.

Transition to Renewable Energy in the Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean.

Arenas Castellanos, D.

Mulder, K.F. (mentor)

Technology, Policy and Management

Values, Technology and Innovation

Technology Dynamics and Sustainable Development

2013-04-08

Society faces the compelling need to change the current ways of producing energy due to the environmental burden of fossil-based energy technologies along with the scarcity of fossil resources. Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs) appear as an option for sustainable energy generation. Small Island Developing States, SIDS, are a particular group of nations that face remoteness, isolation and geographic dispersion, poor connectivity and limited human and technological capacity. SIDS and are not strangers to the challenge of adopting sustainable energy technologies, but as a matter of fact their penetration, particularly in the SIDS of the Caribbean remains rather small. In order to understand why is this the case, this research frames the adoption of RETs as an Innovation for the Caribbean region. Innovation can be considered in several ways, such as product innovation; systems innovation; innovation can be studied from the perspective of firms or regions. In this context it refers to the process of introduction of new technologies in the energy generation system of the Caribbean. Hence, a the theoretical approach of this research combines the theories of Technological Transitions, particularly Geel’s Multi Level Perspective (MLP), which helps to understand the factors that influence technological change; and the theories of Innovation Systems (IS), focusing on Hekkert’s Functions of Innovation Systems (FIS), which provide a toolset to understand the capacity of a system to innovate. This framework focuses on the factors that explain why is the region struggling to adopt RETs. Regardless of the wide availability of renewable energy resources and the attractive economic conditions for the adoption of RETs, the legislation, the lack of regulation, longstanding utility monopolies and international commitments represent major institutional barriers for the energy transition in the region and the emergence of an IS that support their adoption. Furthermore, it is clear from the analysis that more effort is needed to strengthen the capacity of the region to innovate, by supporting the creation, transfer and diffusion of knowledge; by encouraging entrepreneurship and creating a fair market for the RE industry in the region; by increasing awareness and securing political commitment to the energy transition. Finally, some opportunities for market development were identified including adoption of RET by the Travel & Tourism industry; advisory services; financing and funding scanning of the market for business and government; and early introduction of retail and service companies.

technological transitions
functions of innovation systems
renewable energy
small island developing states
Caribbean

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:32867c96-b885-4628-8aee-01e0a5695dfa

Campus only

Student theses

master thesis

(c) 2013 Arenas Castellanos, D.