Composing a technology delivery system for an emerging energy technology: The case of dye-sensitized solar cells

This paper presents an approach to ascertain and represent the key elements and dynamics of a “technology delivery system” (“TDS”) for emerging energy technologies. We describe a 10-step analytical process to help characterize the technology, gauge its state of development, and depict the socio-technical system institutions and actors. We apply this analytical process to develop a TDS model for a promising “new and emerging science & technology” - dye-sensitized solar cells (“DSSCs”). We consider this technology in terms of technological push versus demand pull. We offer a new “cross-charting” method to associate novel nanomaterial-enabled capabilities to functional advantages they might offer, and to link those functions to potential applications. The resulting systems model can help private and public sector decision-makers grasp the key structures and processes and how these can be tuned to enhance the prospects of successful innovation deriving from the emerging energy technology.