Comparison of energy transition initiatives between Germany and the Netherlands through the Quadruple Helix model

Abstract

Given the global temperature increase in recent years, world leaders are developing climate change control initiatives aimed at achieving an Energy Transition; this means replacing the consumption of energy produced by fossil fuels with an energy consumption generated by renewable sources. In developed countries, it is observed that the collaboration between government, academia, society, and industry has generated more efficient transition processes than in those countries where the quadruple helix model for knowledge transfer has not been implemented. This article compares the energy transition initiatives, through the quadruple helix model, in Germany and the Netherlands because they are considered leading nations in the adoption of clean energy and their experience could be useful for other countries. In both countries, we observe collaboration among the four agents of the quadruple helix model, but also we observe the existence of a leader that boosts energy transition process: the Federal Government in Germany, and the Academy in the Netherlands. Finally, we point out that both countries use natural gas as an intermediate step towards the adoption of clean energy