Liz Pflugbeil

PhD thesis: The role of governmental policies in encouraging different types of companies’ investments in clean energy technology innovation

How can policies effectively encourage clean energy innovation by explicitly targeting the different types of companies investing in clean energy R&D? So far, research on private investments in this field has treated companies as one monolithic block, thereby resulting in a "one-size-fits-all" approach to clean energy tech innovation spending. Based on policy analysis and case studies, I will develop a framework assessing the heterogeneous preferences of these companies on climate innovation. Additionally, I will examine the effects of policies on technologies along the different innovation phases, with a particular focus on how the time from prototype to commercialization can be substantially decreased. My PhD research will contribute to helping governments tailor their policies on clean energy innovation to the various company archetypes investing in this field.

Who or what inspired you to pursue your research interests?

My personal and professional experiences have deeply influenced my research interests. Both government policies and private innovation are crucial to reaching our climate goals for 2050. With my academic background in management, electrical engineering, and political science, I am ideally positioned to contribute to quicker and better clean energy innovation. My experience in the private sector, particularly in management consulting, has inspired me to solve critical issues from the company perspective as well as through a societal lens.