World Input-Output Database Environmental Accounts

This report describes the approach adopted for the update of the World Input-Output Database (WIOD) environmental accounts for the period 2000-2016. In constructing the WIOD-based energy and emission accounts we follow closely the methodology developed by Genty et al. (2012), with some adjustments due to changes in system boundaries, which are further detailed. This report illustrates the data adjustment steps required to reconcile energy and economic data which stem, for example, from different accounting principles. Special care has been taken to address problems related to time series breaks in order to achieve a smooth transition between the years 2009 and 2010 at the intersection between the original and new WIOD releases. Results for EU countries are compared with other data sources such as the previous WIOD time series, the Physical Energy Flows Accounts (PEFA) and the National Accounts Matrices with Environmental Extensions (NAMEA) showing a satisfactory goodness of fit, with some exceptions. A final comparison of the inter-temporal structure across periods is proposed in order to identify possible reasons of changes in the patterns of gross energy use.JRC.B.5-Circular Economy and Industrial Leadershi

Region prioritization for the development carbon capture and utilization technologies

In recent years several strategies have been developed and adopted to reduce the levels of the Greenhouse Gas Emissions emitted to the atmosphere. The adoption of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies may contribute towards carbon sequestration as well as to the creation of high value products. This study presents a methodology to assess the potential of CO2utilization across Europe, and to identify the European regions with the greater potential to deploy nine selected carbon dioxide utilization technologies. The results show that Germany, UK and France at the first level followed by Spain, Italy and Poland are the countries where the larger quantities of available CO2 could be found but also where the majority of the potential receiving processes are located, and therefore with the greatest potential for CO2 utilization. The study has also revealed several specific regions where reuse schemes based on CO2 could be developed both in Central Europe (Dusseldorf and Cologne – Germany, Antwerp Province and East Flanders –Belgium and Śląskie – Poland) and in Scandinavia (Etelä-Suomi and Helsinki-Uusimaa –Finland). Finally, among all the selected technologies, concrete curing and horticulture production are the technologies with the higher potential for CO2 utilization in Europe

FIDELIO 3 manual: Equations and data sources

FIDELIO (Fully Interregional Dynamic Econometric Long-term Input-Output) is a multi-sectoral model developed by the unit B.5 of the Directorate General Joint Research Centre (JRC) — the circular economy and industrial leadership unit. Compared to neoclassical CGE models — which assume that the perfect flexibility of prices and quantities ensures the full use of the factors of production at all times — FIDELIO integrates some new-Keynesian features: consumption adjusts slowly to its optimal level according to an error correction model and wages do not clear the labour market. The assumptions that prices do not clear the markets and market "imperfections" exist generate the dynamics of the model that is solved sequentially (recursive dynamic). In addition, FIDELIO is an econometric model since the calibration of most of the behavioural parameters of the model (dynamic adjustment lags of prices and quantities, and elasticities) is based on econometric estimations. This technical report illustrates the third version of the FIDELIO model, FIDELIO 3. The changes introduced in the subsequent versions of the model have two main objectives. The first one is to increase the coverage of the model. The second one is to improve the efficiency and the capacity of the model to evaluate sustainable production and consumption policies. The aim of this report is twofold. First, it contains all the equations of the current version of the model; second, it illustrates the characteristics of the data used by FIDELIO 3.JRC.B.5-Circular Economy and Industrial Leadershi

Predicting Academic Performance: A Systematic Literature Review

The ability to predict student performance in a course or program creates opportunities to improve educational outcomes. With effective performance prediction approaches, instructors can allocate resources and instruction more accurately. Research in this area seeks to identify features that can be used to make predictions, to identify algorithms that can improve predictions, and to quantify aspects of student performance. Moreover, research in predicting student performance seeks to determine interrelated features and to identify the underlying reasons why certain features work better than others. This working group report presents a systematic literature review of work in the area of predicting student performance. Our analysis shows a clearly increasing amount of research in this area, as well as an increasing variety of techniques used. At the same time, the review uncovered a number of issues with research quality that drives a need for the community to provide more detailed reporting of methods and results and to increase efforts to validate and replicate work.Peer reviewe

Analysing energy innovation portfolios from a systemic perspective

A systemic perspective on energy innovation is required to design effective portfolios of directed innovation activity. We contribute a standardised set of technology-specific indicators which describe processes throughout the energy technology innovation system, ranging from patents and publications to policy mixes, collaborative activity, and market share. Using these indicators, we then conceptualise and develop benchmark tests for three portfolio design criteria: balance, consistency, and alignment. Portfolio balance refers to the relative emphasis on specific technologies. Portfolio consistency refers to the relative emphasis on related innovation system processes. Portfolio alignment refers to the relative emphasis on innovation system processes for delivering targeted outcomes. We demonstrate the application of these benchmark tests using data for the EU's Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan which spans six technology fields. We find the SET Plan portfolio generally performs well particularly in areas over which portfolio managers have direct influence such as RD&D funding. However we also identify potential areas of imbalance, inconsistency, and misalignment which warrant further attention and potential redress by portfolio managers. Overall, we show how energy innovation portfolios can be analysed from a systemic perspective using a replicable, standardised set of measures of diverse innovation system processes

Technological capabilities for innovation activities across Europe: Evidence from wind, solar and bioenergy technologies

The paper contributes to renewable energy innovation metrics through an explorative approach of innovation patterns across European countries in 2010. Localized innovation capabilities at work describe the health of the wind, solar and bioenergy sectors pointing out a concentrated RES innovation activity within four countries: Germany, France, United Kingdom and Denmark. The association of technological capabilities along the innovation composite indicator allows the extraction of useful insights of the role of environmental policies upon employment and technological change. In a nutshell, the corporate research investment per patent is lower for wind energy (EUR 0.61 million), and higher for PV and biofuel (around EUR 1 million). For all technologies, the evolution of the market drives the patterns of innovation activities, with considerable consequences in the context of globalization.JRC.F.6-Energy Technology Policy Outloo

Geography of innovation, geography of research

La thèse examine la répartition spatiale des innovations et de la recherche, donnant une importance particulière aux externalités de connaissances. En regard attentif est accordé au rôle des champs scientifiques spécifiques en tant que fournisseurs des externalités, nécessaires au développement industriel régional. L'enquête repose sur trois piliers. En premier lieu, on étudie la mesure dans laquelle la recherche appliquée et la recherche fondamentale font l’objet d'une diffusion des connaissances. L'investigation vise à identifier les déterminants de la répartition spatiale de l’innovation en France et chez ses voisins(la Belgique et l’Allemagne). En second lieu, l'interdépendance du développement scientifique constitue un fondement pour la performance économique et scientifique régionale. L'analyse cherche à comprendre les raisons de la mobilité scientifique, partant du constat que l'innovation est le résultat des interactions spatiales entre la structure d'innovation d'un district et sa structure de connaissances: les innovations (et les scientifiques) ont tendance à se concentrer dans les endroits où ils trouvent des connaissances nécessaires pour le développement d'activités innovantes(Feldman 1999). Nous terminons l'enquête par une évaluation de la production scientifique régionale et de sa capacité d'attirer d’autres agents. En analysant les mécanismes déterminant la diffusion des connaissances, on examine si l'emplacement et l’ampleur des relations spatiales sont déterminés par la distribution spatiale des chercheurs et par les spécialisations scientifiques. La thèse a des applications dans les domaines de la géographie de l'innovation et de l'évaluation scientifique.The thesis investigates the spatial distribution of innovation and research, giving a particular importance to the importance of knowledge spillovers. A particular attention is given to the role of specific scientific fields as suppliers of externalities, needed for local regional development. The investigation is three folded.First, we are investigating the extent to which both applied and fundamental research are subject of diffusion The investigation seeks to identify the determinants of spatial distribution of innovations in France and its nearest neighbors (Belgium and Germany).Secondly, the inter-dependencies of scientific development are the basis of the economic and scientific regional performance. The investigation seeks to understand the reasons for scientific mobility, departing from empiric fact that innovation is the outcome of spatial interactions between the innovative structure of a district and its knowledge structure(Feldman 1999): innovations(and scientists) tend to concentrate in the locations where they find knowledge that is necessary for the development of innovating activities.We end the investigation by an evaluation of regional scientific production and its capacity of attraction of other agents. In analysing the mechanisms underlying knowledge spillover, we examine whether location and dimensions of spatial relations are driven by the spatial distribution of researchers and scientific specializations. The thesis has applications in the fields of geography of innovation and science evaluation

Localised knowledge, local policies and regional innovation activity for renewable energy technologies: Evidence from Italy

This paper investigates the mechanism of locally induced innovation activities in the field of renewable energy technologies (RET). A panel data analysis from 1998 to 2007 across 20 Italian regions identifies the primary drivers of renewable energy patenting activity. As expected, the localised stock of knowledge, local researchers and regional public research subsidies contribute significantly to the development of innovation activities. Additionally, regional characteristics, such as regional energy dependence and hydroelectric resources, are effective in determining the RET innovation patterns. Specifically, regional hydroelectric power acts as a substitute input and hence hampers the innovation activities in the field of RET. Finally, RET innovation activities depend to a limited extent on the political orientation of regional councils, thereby confirming prior research on the role of social acceptance of and political support for technology development. Highlighting the role of local resources and local policies for RET innovation activities, the present research has potential implications for economies that strive to become more self-reliant and less import intensive in the knowledge sector.JRC.F.6-Energy Technology Policy Outloo