Demonstration projects in technological innovation systems: The case of passive houses in Norway

Abstract

Energy efficient buildings represent a clever and cost efficient strategy to reduce energy consumption and thereby greenhouse gas emissions. The thesis seeks to understand to what extent demonstration projects are successful as an innovation and diffusion strategy? One demonstration project is examined to explore the possible diffusion effects for the building industry. The result of the analysis leads to the conclusion that although demonstration projects are useful in many respects, it is not alone a sufficient strategy to achieve widespread diffusion of passive buildings.