Renewable energy technology innovation and energy security: the role of institutional environment

This study empirically examines the impact of renewable energy technology innovation (RETI) on energy security using panel data from 45 countries spanning 2000–2022. Key results indicate that: (i) RETI has a significant positive impact on national energy security levels, with each unit increase in RETI improving energy security by 1.15 %, remaining robust across multiple sensitivity tests. (ii) The institutional environment plays a crucial moderating role in how RETI enhances energy security, with social inclusiveness showing the strongest moderating effect. (iii) Quantile regression reveals that countries with higher energy security benefit more from RETI, with marginal effects increasing from 2.0 % at lower quantiles to 3.2 % at higher quantiles. (iv) Heterogeneity analysis indicates that developed countries derive more substantial RETI benefits compared to developing countries, while different types of renewable energy technology innovations show similar positive effects on energy security. The findings of this study reveal the interactive mechanisms between RETI and energy security, providing important implications for formulating differentiated technological innovation policies.