Technological Innovation Systems: the Case of Hydrogen from Waste
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Technological Innovation Systems: The case of hydrogen from waste Actor characterisation using Q methodology and three case study investigations of regional technological innovation systems using novel interaction matrices. By Jenifer Baxter A thesis submitted to the Welsh School of Architecture Cardiff University For the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY November 2013 DECLARATION This work has not been submitted in substance for any other degree or award at this or any other university or place of learning, nor is being submitted concurrently in candidature for any degree or other award. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date …………………………12/03/2014 STATEMENT 1 This thesis is being submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of …………………………(insert MCh, MD, MPhil, PhD etc, as appropriate) Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date …………………………12/03/2014 STATEMENT 2 This thesis is the result of my own independent work/investigation, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by explicit references. The views expressed are my own. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date …………………………12/03/2014 STATEMENT 3 I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date …………………………12/03/2014 STATEMENT 4: PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BAR ON ACCESS I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter-library loans after expiry of a bar on access previously approved by the Academic Standards & Quality Committee. Signed ………………………………………… (candidate) Date ………………………… ii Abstract This thesis addresses regional aspects of the technological field of hydrogen production from waste. It develops the characterisation of experts involved in the innovation of hydrogen from waste technologies through the use of Q methodology; and a new model (IM-TIS) for the analysis of technological innovation systems. The literature review revealed that the sustainable production of hydrogen from waste processes was not well represented. Truffer et al. (2012) identified a need to further investigate the relationships between functions of innovation and how a technological innovation system may change over time. This was reflected in other innovation and transitions literature. Q methodology revealed three different group identities associated with actors involved in the technological innovation system for hydrogen from waste. These identities are, Hydrogen from Waste Advocates, Cautionary Environmentalists and Hydrogen Technologists. The IM-TIS model developed for this research was applied to three case study regions in the field of hydrogen production from waste in the UK. The model is an adaptation of two existing conceptual models, Rock Engineering Systems (RES) and Functions of Innovation. The thesis identifies and reports on the characteristics of groups of experts involved in hydrogen production from waste and their potential importance. The application of IM-TIS to the three regional case studies of Tees Valley, London and South Wales is presented. A further application of the IM-TIS model using pathway analysis is applied to the case study region of London and results are presented in a worked example. This is the first time a model of this type has been applied to technological innovation system case studies in the UK. It is also the first time a variation of the RES model has been applied in the ways presented in this thesis. The new model provides the opportunity to examine the relationships between functions of innovation and identify what may change within the system over time. It is concluded that the IM-TIS model offers an analysis tool for technological innovation systems that can incorporate the relationships and interactions that occur within the system in a non-linear fashion. Evidence from the research suggests that these interactions have not been adequately addressed in previous studies. A further conclusion is that by addressing the production of hydrogen from waste using these methods, hydrogen technologies are shown to be still in an emergent state. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly I would like to acknowledge the studentship provided by the EPSRC funded SUPERGEN H Delivery programme that provided financial support for my research. I would like to say thank you to Peter Pearson and Vicki Stevenson for their amazing supervision in my final year, without which I may not have made it over the finishing line. I would also like to thank Katrina Lewis and Adam Hardy for their support throughout my PhD. Thank you also to Malcolm Eames for your supervision. I would like to say thank you to Nick Hacking and Kate Knowles for their companionship throughout my PhD. Many laughs and tears were had. An extra thanks to Nick for supporting the development of the IM-TIS model. I would also like to acknowledge the support given by Chris Taylor during the process of analysing the Q methodology. So to my family who I know always have my back. My husband Geoff whose unwavering belief in my abilities has been my rock never allowing me to give up. My parents John and Carol who always have the right words and point me back in the right direction. Of course my children Elias, Isaac and Aaron who have kept me grounded and who force me to laugh at myself. You are all amazing! I would also like to say a special thank you to the South Wales roller derby community, CRoC, Tiger Bay Brawlers, South Wales Silures and Dare Valley Vixens for giving me an outlet, knocking me down and picking me up again. iv DEDICATION For my Parents: John and Carol Thank you for always being supportive. Here it is, the last phase of the infamous 19 year long 10 year plan. I hope you like it. With love and affection. “The more things that you read, the more things you will know, the more things that you learn the more places you’ll go” Dr Seuss “Guess what? You’re not tired” Chalene Johnson (Beachbody Fitness Instructor) v TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................... 1-2 1.1 Hydrogen: policies, climate change and low carbon transitions ................. 1-3 1.1.1 Hydrogen production from waste: the climate change agenda............. 1-3 1.1.2 The role of innovation systems in low carbon transitions ..................... 1-6 1.2 Study Aims and Objectives ........................................................................ 1-8 1.3 Doctoral Research Project Flow Diagram ................................................. 1-10 1.4 Thesis Structure ...................................................................................... 1-12 1.4.1 Chapter 2 - Literature review ................................................................1-12 1.4.2 Chapter 3 - Methodology ......................................................................1-13 1.4.3 Chapter 4 - Q Methodology Results .....................................................1-13 1.4.4 Chapter 5 –Interaction Matrix – Technological Innovation System (IM–TIS) model....................................................................................................1-13 1.4.5 Chapter 6 – IM–TIS Case Study Results (London, South Wales, Tees Valley) ..............................................................................................................1-14 1.4.6 Chapter 7 – IM–TIS Model and Q Methodology: Illustrative worked example ‘real situation’ (London) .......................................................................1-14 1.4.7 Chapter 8 – Discussion and Reflection .................................................1-14 1.4.8 Chapter 9 – Conclusions and Contributions and Further Research .....1-14 1.4.9 Appendices 1 and 2: CD Portfolio,—Supplementary data and figures, interviews............................................................................................................1-15 1.5 Concluding section .................................................................................. 1-15 1.6 References.............................................................................................. 1-16 2 UK Policy Landscape and Literature Review ...................................................... 2-2 2.1 UK and European policy landscape influencing hydrogen production from waste ................................................................................................................ 2-3 2.2 Critical review of literature ..................................................................... 2-10 2.2.1 Hydrogen and the transition to a low carbon future ...........................2-11 2.3 Hydrogen futures .................................................................................... 2-16 2.3.2 Hydrogen future concepts ....................................................................2-18 2.3.3 Hydrogen futures: studies from outside the UK ...................................2-24 vi 2.4 The sustainable production of hydrogen from waste with a view to developing a technological innovation system ................................................. 2-28 2.4.1 Technical review attributes ..................................................................2-29 2.5 Sustainability transitions, transition management and the multi-level perspective ..................................................................................................... 2-37 2.5.1 Transition Management .......................................................................2-38