Assessing national renewable energy competitiveness of the G20: A revised Porter's Diamond Model

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 93; pp. 719 - 731
• Main Authors: Fang, Kai, Zhou, Yunheng, Wang, Shuang, Ye, Ruike, Guo, Sujian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Composite index of renewable energy competitiveness (CIREC); Country-based analysis; Diamond Model; Industry competitiveness; Policy recommendation; Renewable energy; Policy recommendation; Renewable energy; Country-based analysis; Composite index of renewable energy competitiveness (CIREC); Industry competitiveness; Diamond Model
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.05.011

To ensure energy security and tackle global challenges, such as climate change and environmental degradation, governments have formulated and implemented various public policies to encourage the development and utilization of renewable energy worldwide. This article focuses on potential approaches to evaluating and promoting the international competitiveness of Group 20's (the G20's) renewable energy industry. By developing a revised Diamond Model in relation to Porter's theory of industry competitive advantage, it provides an analytical framework for assessing the national renewable energy competitiveness of the G20 members, makes an in-depth investigation into the main driving factors for renewable energy industry, and presents a sound competitiveness assessment of the present and future of the G20's renewable energy industries, such as solar, wind, hydropower, and biomass energy. Based on the international analysis of the G20, the study also proposes a set of policy recommendations to support decision makers in the evaluation and choice of strategies for enhancing national renewable energy competitiveness. Our findings could better serve both policy makers and industrial end-users as a useful reference for international efforts to approach the sustainability of global energy use. •A revised Porter's Diamond Model of industry competitive advantage was presented.•Investigation into the drivers of national renewable energy industry was conducted.•Competitiveness assessment of the G20's renewable energy industries was provided.•Policy advices for enhancing national renewable energy competitiveness were proposed.