DOI
10.1016/j.techfore.2015.06.037

Summary
This article is concerned with the Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) framework analysis of the diffusion of a new wind energy sector in Portugal. The framework identifies the main processes or functions in the diffusion of the new technology. This study provides insights into the type of activities needed to adopt the new technology. Bento & Fontes begin the article delivering background literature on the growing demand for wind energy and the current case of energy source and use in Portugal. Portugal is deemed to be a follower country in terms of their development of a new TIS.  They utilise existing literature on emerging technologies to guide their research. The use of the TIS approach (Bergek et al 2008 and Hekkert et al 2007) is combined with empirical historical scaling dynamics analyses (Wilson, 2009 and Grubler, 2012). Bento & Fontes describe the process of formation of new energy TIS. Here they highlight:

The importance of actors, networks and institutions
The formative phase is central to TIS success and should always be well differentiated from the development phase
One major limitation is that TIS tends to focus on a national level where often the local system interactions can be overlook




Technology development is found to typically follow a three-phase sequential process:

Formative phase – experimentation with producing many small scale units in order to establish initial production base.
Up-scaling phase consisting of constructing larger units to gather technological economies of scale at unit level.
Growth phase – mass production of units




In section 4, Bento & Fontes detail the diffusion of wind power in Portugal, factors influencing the take-off investments, growth of installed capacity and international comparison, the emergence of local wind innovation systems, the formative phase, knowledge creation, experimentation, creation of legitimation and its impact on other functions, implementation: up scaling and growth phases, legitimation and institutional alignment, market formation, resource mobilisation and development of positive externalities. 




The diffusion of wind energy in Portugal was found to some extent to be the result of policy on electing renewable energies as priority for future development. A strong formative phase was a huge factor in developing the TIS here.

Relevance for Complex Systems Knowledge
The paper is relevant to the energy systems topic. The paper contributes to the field of TIS approach to analysis. The case of Portugal’s progression in the development a new TIS is outlined in section 4. The methodology follows the common TIS authors Bergek & Hekkert. However, the hybridised method offers new insight into TIS analysis as they combined empirical historical scaling dynamics analyses (Wilson, 2009 and Grubler, 2012). This may be a useful reference for further study.

The simplified summarised 3 phases of technology development as detailed above could be utilised as a teaching resource.

Overall the paper offers itself as useful example of TIS development, for a follower country, and for European nation. The paper may be a useful case study example for teaching renewable energy TIS. 

Point of Strength
The paper offers a visual aid for the formative and up-scaling & growth phase in figure 5. This graphic answers a call in other similar literature for more use of visual aids.

The combination of the typical TIS approach and empirical historical scaling dynamics analyses (Wilson, 2009 and Grubler, 2012) is a unique and string point here.