Back to OurEnergyLibrary search




The Power of Innovation: Inventing the Future

The Power of Innovation: Inventing the Future

Full Title: The Power of Innovation: Inventing the Future
Author(s):
Publisher(s): American Energy Innovation Council
Publication Date: June 1, 2017
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

Innovation has been the predominant driver of U.S. economic growth over the last century. Scientific and technological innovations have produced new industries and the jobs that accompany them, helped maintain the competitiveness of a growing number of companies that rely on technology to succeed, and ultimately made American lives better. Throughout this history, the federal government has played a vital role in catalyzing innovation across a number of key, strategic sectors—such as defense, health, agriculture, energy, and information technology. In every instance, these sectors provide invaluable contributions to the United States while facing their own distinct sets of challenges. This is especially true in the energy sector.

Access to reliable, affordable energy has such a profoundly positive impact on people’s lives as to nearly defy calculation. Yet unlike many other technology sectors, the energy sector in particular has suffered from underinvestment in research and development (R&D) for a number of reasons. As a generally low-cost commodity, it is often difficult for an energy supplier to differentiate itself and charge a premium the way products in other markets like communications hardware or biomedical technologies might. Energy infrastructure and technologies are also generally high-cost and long-lived, leading to large amounts of inertia and, in some cases, risk avoidance. Further complicating these challenges is the fact that energy markets are highly fragmented and often face a significant amount of regulatory fracturing and uncertainty.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

Sign up for our Press Release Distribution List

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Please sign me up to receive press releases from OurEnergyPolicy.org.