Diffusion of energy technologies: the role and dynamics of supply-side information networks

The diffusion of energy technologies is key for supporting the energy transition. While social influence and peer effects have been extensively studied on the demand side and found to impact adoption, less focus has been given to the role of information networks and collaboration among supply-side actors. This study analyses information networks in the photovoltaics, electromobility, and energy management systems sector in Switzerland to determine levers to improve communication among actors. We identified and characterized 926 relevant supply-side actors in the field, iteratively through desktop research, interviews, surveys, and workshops. We conducted a geo- survey, collecting data from 157 actors regarding their information exchanges, events and associations used to exchange information, and geographic data associated with these interactions. By constructing socio-spatial information networks, we measured centrality, relatedness, and distance, comparing the social and spatial proximity perspectives. The findings show that spatial distance does not play a significant role in determining connections among supply actors. Besides, the results highlight the potential of events and associations in rapidly disseminating information and bridging different types of actors (i.e. public entities, energy utilities, energy technology providers…), and of academic actors to act as intermediaries. Lastly, although there is a majority of energy technology providers and they are in direct contact with the demand, they are rarely information sources for public entities, indicating a top-down information flow. Strategies to enhance collaborations among supply-side actors should focus on leveraging these potentials and promoting bi-directional information flows, to tap into the experiences and insights of energy technology providers.