Measuring technological collaborations on carbon capture and storage based on patents: A social network analysis approach

Abstract

With huge technical potential, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is widely regarded as an important means of addressing climate change. International technological collaboration on CCS appears particularly crucial to help expedite commercial-scale deployment globally. This study investigates CCS patents and measures technological collaborations among CCS research communities by looking at a global patent cooperation network. Using a social network analysis method, network properties, network actors and cohesive subgroups were examined. The collaborative strength of patentees is also investigated, along with an analysis of the breadth and depth of technological collaboration. The results show that the overall collaboration network of CCS is still at an early stage of development; CCS enterprises and relevant R&D organizations have not established close partnerships. Based on the findings, two suggestions are proposed in order to promote more successful technological collaborations, including the creation of CCS patent pools and the construction of CCS knowledge sharing platforms.