Using Demonstration Projects to Advance Innovation in Energy

Energy supply and price disruptions a decade ago ushered in one particularly significant change in federal sponsorship of civilian research and development (RD government committed itself to the commercialization of a variety of energy techniques. A favorite agency device was the demonstration project. Demonstration programs attempt to shorten the time within which a specific technology makes its way from development and prototype to widespread availability and adoption by industrial and commercial users.' The value of demonstrations, both in energy and other technological areas, is disputed. For instance, Eads and Nelson argue that demonstrations represent a significant and ill-advised departure from the traditional attitude about government involvement with civilian technologies. This traditional attitude argues that, in the