The role of technology transfer for the development of a local wind component industry in Chile

Abstract

Keywords: Technology transfer Renewable energy Developing countriesThis paper contributes to the debate about climate change technology transfer by analysing barriers and enablers for a Chilean company starting up the production of wind blades. Literature on the role of technology transfer for the development and deployment of local renewable energy technologies in developing countries often refers to success stories in Brazil, India and China. Instead, this case study highlights the different challenges faced by smaller emerging economies. The paper argues that successful technology transfer in a smaller economy like Chile requires: a minimum internal demand and access to regional markets to attract foreign knowledge providers; a focus in the types of technologies where the recipient country or company have a competitive advantage; and active learning processes by the recipient company. Lessons are drawn for improving the design and implementation of technology-push and market-pull policies in small or medium emerging economies.

Learning and technological capability building in emerging economies: The case of the biomass power equipment industry in Malaysia

“…Existing work pays particular attention to the role of national political and institutional conditions for industry development (see e.g. Huang and Wu, 2007;Mathews et al, 2011;Pueyo et al, 2011;Walz and Delgado, 2012). A number of other studies use aggregate R&D and patent statistics both to assess the underlying processes of learning and whether innovative capabilities have developed at the industry level (see e.g.…”

The effect of local and global learning on the cost of renewable energy in developing countries

“…Any such investment will hinge on a credible, long-term market perspective (Pueyo et al, 2011). But besides their availability, the share of locally sourced components also depends on their competitiveness.…”

“…Technological learning in developing countries, especially outside the largest emerging economies, follows distinct dynamics (Pueyo et al, 2011). The industries producing clean technologies are increasingly globalized (Gallagher, 2014;Lewis, 2012;Nahm and Steinfeld, 2014).…”

Renewable Technology Transfer to Developing Countries: One Size Does Not Fit All

“…Due to their relatively small size and lack of a strong industrial sector, technology implementers should concentrate their policy efforts on a reduced group of technologies to reach affordable costs through economies of scale and learning by doing (Pueyo, 2011). The decision should take into account the country's sources of competitive advantage, which can come from their renewable energy endowment, accumulated knowledge, infrastructures and existing industrial sectors.…”