A Strategic Management Framework for the Commercialization of Multi-Technology Renewable Energy Systems: The Case of Concentrating Solar Power Technologies in South Africa

Abstract

Globally, the importance of sustainable development is recognized due to a number of interconnected social, environmental, and economic challenges. One of the key tenets of sustainable development is the introduction of clean energy, and specifically renewable energy technologies (RETs). The acceleration of the adoption of RETs, however, requires an increase in the rate of commercialization of such technologies; classified as multi-technology renewable energy systems (MTRESs) due to the hierarchical nature of such systems, with differing commercialization-based needs. A strategic management framework was designed as a tool to support the development of strategies for increasing the commercialization rate of MTRESs, and applied to the case of concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies in South Africa. The framework serves as a proof-of-concept, given the current industry constraints, due to political uncertainties in the energy sector of the country, and the theoretical validation process followed. While commercialization prospects for CSP technologies in South Africa could be improved through positioning the country within the global production network of CSP technologies, it is difficult to commercialize a technology for a foreign market. In addition, the paper encourages dialogue on how different stakeholders may be mobilized in the interests of a given technology, while continuing a recent trend in literature, which seeks to move the conversation from energy analysis to practical measures, aimed at hastening efforts towards a sustainable energy transition.