An analytical framework to assess the contribution of new technologies to societal challenges

Abstract

This paper addresses the topic of impact assessment of a research project (encompassed on a Joint Activities Program) considering the major priorities established under the societal challenges defined under the Horizon 2020 programme. A methodology is proposed and demonstrated for the particular case of a project aiming the development of an electric vehicle battery charging system with novel operating modes, which was tested at a laboratory scale. Firstly, the methodology is based on literature review in order to gather meaningful information about societal challenges addressed to this technology and, secondly, questionnaires and interviews directed to the research team of this project were conducted. A SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis was derived from the data collected in the questionnaires and interviews to identify and assess the interest of the new technology and its barriers. The results show that, especially, the different operation modes for bidirectional energy transfer are a great advance comparing to other competing technologies. Moreover, the technology can contribute significantly to mitigate climate change by reducing the release of carbon dioxide emissions from the transport sector. However, since the project under analysis was tested only at laboratory, some aspects related to the software and hardware still need to be improved and the effective market uptake is still uncertain, as it is also dependent on the car manufacturers' interest.