Using data on patent applications, this paper provides systematic evidence of how the existing regional knowledge base, and in particular specialisation in fossil fuel technologies, affected both initial and subsequent regional diversification into cleantech knowledge production in European regions between 1987 and 2010. Results confirmed the assumption in evolutionary economic geography that technological relatedness enhances regional diversification into cleantech. Contrary to what is often assumed in the transitions literature, no indication whatsoever was found that a specialization in fossil fuel technologies hampered cleantech knowledge production in European regions. Some clean technologies even partly developed out of fossil fuel knowledge. These empirical results suggest the need for a more heterogeneous socio-technical regime concept which facilitates new technology developments in some dimensions but hinders it in others.

利用专利申请数据，本文提供了系统的证据，说明现有的地区知识库，尤其是化石燃料技术的专业化，如何影响了1987年至2010年欧洲地区在清洁技术知识生产方面的最初和随后的地区多元化。在进化经济地理学中，技术关联性促进了清洁技术的区域多元化。与过渡文献中通常所假设的相反，没有发现任何迹象表明化石燃料技术的专业化阻碍了欧洲地区清洁技术知识的生产。一些清洁技术甚至部分是根据化石燃料知识开发的。