The growing impact of climate change and the increase of demand coming out from the new and from old economies require a radical transformation of the electric sector. The required change of paradigm has as a pillar a Grid that become more and more “Intelligent”. A Smart Grid, is “an electricity network that can intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it - generators, consumers and those that do both - in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and secure electricity supplies” (European Technology Platform SmartGrids, 2006). In the transformation of electric’s production paradigm, information and communication technologies are key factors: information and communication technology represents the enabling technology capable of providing the system with the characteristics of "intelligence" needed to act as "smart" network. In the redefinition process of the energy system, characterized by the interrelationship between the electricity and the ICT sector, it becomes essential to investigate the role that new and well-established companies of both industries, can play. The aim of our paper, in particular is to analyze the role of ICT-based start-ups in the development of smart grid technology. We focus our attention on the Italian context and on a peculiar typology of start-ups, i.e. academic spin-offs that are start-ups promoted by academic members and based on the results of their research activities. More specifically, we aim to explore the influence of ICT-based academic spin-offs in the field of smart grid, in terms of: 1) level of involvement and fields of activity; 2) development strategies and relations with incumbents. From the theoretical point of view, the paper can be placed in the context of studies that analyze the processes of transformation of economic sectors, and in particular of studies focused on the analysis of forces and actors that drive the change (Kemp et al., 2001; Rip and Kemp, 1998 Geels, 2002; Geels, 2004; Geels and Schot, 2007; Geels and Raven, 2006; Dolata, 2009; Erlinghagen and Markard, 2012). The research has allowed us to build a database of ICT-based academic spin-offs with technologies and competences applicable to the smart grid sector and to obtain a picture of strategy they are adopting in the sector.

Smart grid technologies: the role of ICT based start-ups

PARENTE, Roberto
;
FEOLA, ROSANGELA;RASSEGA, VALTER
2014-01-01

Abstract

The growing impact of climate change and the increase of demand coming out from the new and from old economies require a radical transformation of the electric sector. The required change of paradigm has as a pillar a Grid that become more and more “Intelligent”. A Smart Grid, is “an electricity network that can intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it - generators, consumers and those that do both - in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and secure electricity supplies” (European Technology Platform SmartGrids, 2006). In the transformation of electric’s production paradigm, information and communication technologies are key factors: information and communication technology represents the enabling technology capable of providing the system with the characteristics of "intelligence" needed to act as "smart" network. In the redefinition process of the energy system, characterized by the interrelationship between the electricity and the ICT sector, it becomes essential to investigate the role that new and well-established companies of both industries, can play. The aim of our paper, in particular is to analyze the role of ICT-based start-ups in the development of smart grid technology. We focus our attention on the Italian context and on a peculiar typology of start-ups, i.e. academic spin-offs that are start-ups promoted by academic members and based on the results of their research activities. More specifically, we aim to explore the influence of ICT-based academic spin-offs in the field of smart grid, in terms of: 1) level of involvement and fields of activity; 2) development strategies and relations with incumbents. From the theoretical point of view, the paper can be placed in the context of studies that analyze the processes of transformation of economic sectors, and in particular of studies focused on the analysis of forces and actors that drive the change (Kemp et al., 2001; Rip and Kemp, 1998 Geels, 2002; Geels, 2004; Geels and Schot, 2007; Geels and Raven, 2006; Dolata, 2009; Erlinghagen and Markard, 2012). The research has allowed us to build a database of ICT-based academic spin-offs with technologies and competences applicable to the smart grid sector and to obtain a picture of strategy they are adopting in the sector.
2014
978-1-900454-57-5
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11386/4499657
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