| ID | 162921 |
| Title Proper | Productivity of innovation in biofuel technologies |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Arnold, Michelle |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Biofuels are a regular focus of public policy. The productivity of innovation in biofuel technologies is rarely addressed either in research or policy. Yet as innovation in any field grows complex and costly it can experience reductions in productivity and diminishing returns to investments. We examine here the productivity of investments in the technologies used to produce biofuels, using data from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The results show that the productivity of innovation in biofuel technologies is declining. Continuation of this trend will in time force reductions in research investments in biofuel technologies. We discuss policy approaches to address declining returns to research investments. |
| `In' analytical Note | Energy Policy Vol. 124; Jan 2019: p.54-62 |
| Journal Source | Energy Policy 2019-01 124 |
| Key Words | Energy ; Energy Policy ; Patents ; Complexity ; Innovation ; Biofuels ; R& DUSPTO |