A Regional Analysis of Renewable Energy Patenting in Italy

ICER Working Paper No. 6/2012

24 Pages Posted: 18 Sep 2012

See all articles by Silvana Dalmazzone

Silvana Dalmazzone

University of Turin - Department of Economics

Teodora Corsatea

Institute for Energy and Transport

Date Written: September 1, 2012

Abstract

The paper investigates the mechanisms of induced innovation in the renewable energy industry in Italy. Descriptive analysis reveals a decoupling of innovation and production: significant RES-related innovation in Northern Italy, high levels of renewable energy production in Southern Italy. A panel analysis from 1997 to 2007 for the 20 Italian regions reveals that renewable-specific local public R&D expenditure is the main determinant of the renewable energy patenting pattern. Local financial incentives play a significant, but less important role. The wind and solar sources depend more on local public intervention than other RES such as biomass. The development of RES innovation activities appears to depend also on the political orientation of regional councils, thus confirming prior research on the role of social acceptance and political support in the development of RES.

Keywords: induced innovation, patents, regional analysis, renewable energy sources (RES)

JEL Classification: Q55, Q58, O34, O38

Suggested Citation

Dalmazzone, Silvana and Corsatea, Teodora, A Regional Analysis of Renewable Energy Patenting in Italy (September 1, 2012). ICER Working Paper No. 6/2012, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2148329 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2148329

Silvana Dalmazzone (Contact Author)

University of Turin - Department of Economics ( email )

Via Po, 53
Torino, 10124
Italy

Teodora Corsatea

Institute for Energy and Transport ( email )

Westerduinweg 3
NL-1755 LE
Petten
Netherlands

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