Title: Technological transitions and Strategic Niche Management: the case of the hydrogen economy

Authors: Paolo Agnolucci, Paul Ekins

Addresses: Environment Group, Policy Studies Institute, 50 Hanson St., W1W 6UP London, UK. ' Environment Group, Policy Studies Institute, 50 Hanson St., W1W 6UP London, UK

Abstract: There is considerable interest in the prospects for a large-scale transition to hydrogen as an energy source. This paper assesses these prospects through consideration of technological transition theory and especially the likelihood of hydrogen use becoming widespread through Strategic Niche Management (SNM). The paper shows that current niches show few signs of the characteristics that are necessary for niche expansion to the extent required, and concludes that at present hydrogen technologies still need substantial R&D support resulting in a number of scientific breakthroughs before they will become viable in competitive markets.

Keywords: technological transition; strategic niche management; SNM; hydrogen technologies; R&D support; research and development; hydrogen economy.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2007.015635

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2007 Vol.7 No.5/6, pp.644 - 671

Published online: 06 Nov 2007 *

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