The Analysis of Development Process of Natural Gas Storage Technology with the Method of Motors of Innovation

Before policy making for technology development and implementation, the state of technology in the country must be evaluated and analyzed. In this study, considering the importance and necessity of developing underground natural gas storage technology, the process of developing this technology has been evaluated using the approach of the technological innovation system and using the method of motors of innovation. The approach of this research is qualitative and the data collection tool is document review and interview with experts. The results of this study show that the underground natural gas storage technology in Iran is in the second stage of development of the four stages of growth of the technology system in the country. This means that the country has acquired the basic knowledge of this technology and the prototype has been used experimentally in a repository, but the number of these experiments should be increased and other industrial players should enter this field and the mechanisms for creating knowledge-based companies. Also, a model proposed that based on, problems that are exists on the way to development of this technology in the country and policy recommendations are provided. According to this model, the engine of entrepreneurship is the main engine and there is weakness in all functions, including key, support and marginal of this engine.