This thesis explores the possible avenues available to corporations and capital-managing entities seeking to increase their commitment to good works. These organizations have the potential to fill the gap in societal needs by supporting and investing in good works, including environmental protection and highly-innovative energy technologies, beyond the traditional corporate social responsibility (CSR) norm. These means include charitable giving, working with disadvantaged communities, corporate assistance to environmental or other social non-governmental organizations, and more. This thesis discusses the advantages and limitations of various corporate structures (C Corporations, S Corporations, LLCs, B Corps, L3Cs, and benefit corporations) and capital-managing organizations (mutual funds, foundations, and pension funds). Recommendations are provided for each to encourage good works with greater impact.

This thesis studies technological progress in the energy sector and the transition path from fossil fuels to renewable energy, with a particular emphasis on the conse- quences to the whole economy. Currently, there is an active discussion regarding sub- sidizing renewable energy sources, which are often portrayed as the sole future source of energy and the driver of signi cant employment and economic growth. However, innovation in the fossil fuel sector and its continuing development can also be a game changer and should not be ignored. In the rst chapter, we use a dynamic general equilibrium model with endogenous technological progress in energy production to study the optimal transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy in a neoclassical growth economy. We emphasize the importance of modeling technology innovation in the fossil fuel sector, as well as in the renewable energy industry. Advancements in the development of shale oil and gas increase the supply of fossil fuel. This implies that the \parity cost target" for renewables is a moving one. We believe that this important observation is often neglected in policy discussions. Our quantitative analysis nds that these advancements allow fossil fuels to remain competitive for a longer period of time. While technological breakthroughs in the fossil fuel sector have postponed the full transition to renewable energy, they have also created many jobs and stimulated local economies. In the third chapter, we use an econometric analysis to compare job creation in the shale gas and oil sectors with that in the wind power sector in Texas. The results show that shale development and well drilling activities have brought strong employment and wage growth to Texas, while the impact of wind industry development on employment and wages statewide has been either not statistically signi cant or quite small. The rst and third chapters question the current enthusiasm in policy circles for only focusing on alternative energy. Chapter 2 provides some theoretical support for subsidizing renewable energy development. Here we develop a decentralized ver- sion of the model in Chapter 1 and allow for technological externalities. We analyze the e ciency of the competitive equilibrium solution and discuss in particular dif- ferent scenarios whereby externalities can result in an ine cient outcome. We show that the decentralized economy with externalities leads to under-investment in R&D, lower investment and consumption, and delayed transition to the renewable economy. This may provide an opportunity for government action to improve private sector outcomes.

Cette thèse analyse les dynamiques de changement du système énergétique en se focalisant sur les énergies marines renouvelables (EMR). A travers l’examen de dix études de cas (études à la fois sectorielles et territoriales), elle s’interroge sur les raisons du retour de ces technologies au tournant des années 2000. Mises à la marge du paradigme dominant de la production d’électricité des années 1980, nous montrons que les énergies marines renouvelables sont revenues sur le devant de la scène dans un contexte de crise systémique des 3E (environnementale, économique et énergétique). A l’interface des politiques énergétiques (celles de la transition énergétique) et des politiques maritimes (celles de la croissance bleue), les énergies marines renouvelables ont été légitimées au moment où la mer est devenue un terrain pour (re)construire des discours visionnaires, avant-gardistes et technopolitiques. Par ce biais, nous mettons en lumière l’importance des croyances et des représentations collectives sur l’activité technologique. Au regard de la diversité des trajectoires technologiques examinées (énergie des marées et des courants, énergie des vagues, énergie thermique des mers et éolien marin), nous montrons que « la filière » des énergies marines renouvelables se présente en France comme une construction politique sans cohérence technologique affirmée entre des univers techniques différents. Cette thèse permet également de relativiser la notion d’innovation de rupture et de destruction créatrice en mettant en évidence des phénomènes de résurgence technologique pouvant durer plusieurs décennies, voire plusieurs siècles, dans l’exploitation de sources d’énergies renouvelables. Enfin, en s’inscrivant dans une démarche rétro-prospective, cette thèse défend l’idée que les processus fondamentaux dans la dynamique de changement du système énergétique ne sont pas la création et la nouveauté mais plutôt l’actualisation et la réinterprétation. Elle entend ainsi apporter une contribution originale aux interrogations à la fois des économistes, des sociologues et des historiens des techniques, qui chacun dans leur domaine tentent de comprendre les trajectoires de l'innovation et les conditions de réussite des technologies de l’énergie. / This thesis sheds light on the dynamics of change in the energy system by taking the example of marine renewable energies (MRE). By exploring ten case studies (both sectoral and territorial), it reflects on the reasons for the return of these technologies in the 2000’s. Previously excluded from the dominant paradigm of French electricity production, in the 1980s, marine renewable energies are currently making a comeback in the context of the systemic crisis of the 3Es (environmental, economic and energy). At the interface of energy policies (energy transition policies) and maritime policies (blue growth policies), marine renewable energies were legitimized when the sea became a new horizon for (re)building visionary, avant-garde and technopolitical discourses. Through this, we highlight the importance of beliefs and collective representations of technological activity. Through the diversity of technological trajectories discussed in this thesis (tidal stream and tidal range energy, wave energy, ocean thermal energy conversion and offshore wind energy), we show that, in France, the industry of marine renewable energies presents itself as a political construction without asserted technological consistency, at the interface between different technical worlds. This thesis put into perspective the notion of disruptive innovation and creative destruction by highlighting phenomena of technological rebirth, which can take several decades and even centuries. Through a retroprospective analysis, this thesis defends the idea that the dynamics of change of the energy system are not mainly driven by creation and novelty, but could, rather, be construed as a process of update and reinterpretation of existing technological principles. This thesis aims to provide insights to economists, sociologists and historians of technology who try to understand the trajectories of innovation and the conditions for success of energy technologies.

Esta tese procura demonstrar que a Energia é um Recurso de Poder relevante para compreender as relações entre os Estados, especificamente os padrões de hierarquização e distribuição de poder no Sistema Internacional. Neste sentido, Energia é entendida como um sistema que abrange desde a extração de recursos energéticos, os mecanismos de transformação e uso final, a capacidade de decisão e uso da infraestrutura energética e de pesquisa e desenvolvimento tecnológico. Para isso, esta tese está dividida em três capítulos, procurando estabelecer, primeiramente as relações entre Energia e Poder no campo teórico-conceitual, para em seguida analisar o papel do Centro de Decisão Energética na Estratégia de Segurança Energética das Grandes Potências. O segundo capítulo analisa a geopolítica do controle dos recursos energéticos, com foco nas disputas geopolíticas pelo petróleo e da evolução das tecnologias relacionadas ao uso de petróleo e eletricidade nos principais conflitos do século XX. Por fim, o terceiro capítulo é destinado à operacionalização de indicadores quantitativos e qualitativos relacionados à estratégia energética adotada por grandes potências como EUA e também, pelo conjunto dos países emergentes que inclui Brasil, Rússia, Índia e China. Considera-se que a Energia é uma variável decisiva para se analisar as mudanças distribuição de poder entre as grandes potências. Destarte, a capacidade de decisão referente ao uso de recursos energéticos é central para garantir a Soberania de um Estado. / This thesis proposes that Energy is an important variable for explaining power relations among States, specifically hierarchy and distribution of Power in the International System. In this sense, Energy is understood as a system that comprehends the extraction of energy resources, the mechanisms for processing and the end-use energy consumption, and the capability to decide on the use of energy infrastructure, on research and on technological energy development. To accomplish this objective, this thesis is divided into three chapters. The first chapter aims to establish the relationship between Energy and Power in the theoretical-conceptual level, and analyzes the role of the Energy Decision Center on the Energy Security Strategy of the Great Powers. The second chapter analyzes the geopolitical control of energy resources, focusing on geopolitical disputes over oil and the development of technologies related to the use of oil and electricity in the great wars of the twentieth century. Finally, the third chapter is dedicated to operationalize quantitative and qualitative indicators related to energy strategy adopted by great powers like the U.S., as well by the group of emerging powers that includes Brazil, Russia, India and China. This thesis concludes that Energy is a decisive variable to analyze changes in the distribution of power among the Great Powers. Therefore, the decision-making capacity on the subject of the use of energy resources is essential to ensure the sovereignty of any State.

Esta tese procura demonstrar que a Energia é um Recurso de Poder relevante para compreender as relações entre os Estados, especificamente os padrões de hierarquização e distribuição de poder no Sistema Internacional. Neste sentido, Energia é entendida como um sistema que abrange desde a extração de recursos energéticos, os mecanismos de transformação e uso final, a capacidade de decisão e uso da infraestrutura energética e de pesquisa e desenvolvimento tecnológico. Para isso, esta tese está dividida em três capítulos, procurando estabelecer, primeiramente as relações entre Energia e Poder no campo teórico-conceitual, para em seguida analisar o papel do Centro de Decisão Energética na Estratégia de Segurança Energética das Grandes Potências. O segundo capítulo analisa a geopolítica do controle dos recursos energéticos, com foco nas disputas geopolíticas pelo petróleo e da evolução das tecnologias relacionadas ao uso de petróleo e eletricidade nos principais conflitos do século XX. Por fim, o terceiro capítulo é destinado à operacionalização de indicadores quantitativos e qualitativos relacionados à estratégia energética adotada por grandes potências como EUA e também, pelo conjunto dos países emergentes que inclui Brasil, Rússia, Índia e China. Considera-se que a Energia é uma variável decisiva para se analisar as mudanças distribuição de poder entre as grandes potências. Destarte, a capacidade de decisão referente ao uso de recursos energéticos é central para garantir a Soberania de um Estado. / This thesis proposes that Energy is an important variable for explaining power relations among States, specifically hierarchy and distribution of Power in the International System. In this sense, Energy is understood as a system that comprehends the extraction of energy resources, the mechanisms for processing and the end-use energy consumption, and the capability to decide on the use of energy infrastructure, on research and on technological energy development. To accomplish this objective, this thesis is divided into three chapters. The first chapter aims to establish the relationship between Energy and Power in the theoretical-conceptual level, and analyzes the role of the Energy Decision Center on the Energy Security Strategy of the Great Powers. The second chapter analyzes the geopolitical control of energy resources, focusing on geopolitical disputes over oil and the development of technologies related to the use of oil and electricity in the great wars of the twentieth century. Finally, the third chapter is dedicated to operationalize quantitative and qualitative indicators related to energy strategy adopted by great powers like the U.S., as well by the group of emerging powers that includes Brazil, Russia, India and China. This thesis concludes that Energy is a decisive variable to analyze changes in the distribution of power among the Great Powers. Therefore, the decision-making capacity on the subject of the use of energy resources is essential to ensure the sovereignty of any State.

Esta tese procura demonstrar que a Energia é um Recurso de Poder relevante para compreender as relações entre os Estados, especificamente os padrões de hierarquização e distribuição de poder no Sistema Internacional. Neste sentido, Energia é entendida como um sistema que abrange desde a extração de recursos energéticos, os mecanismos de transformação e uso final, a capacidade de decisão e uso da infraestrutura energética e de pesquisa e desenvolvimento tecnológico. Para isso, esta tese está dividida em três capítulos, procurando estabelecer, primeiramente as relações entre Energia e Poder no campo teórico-conceitual, para em seguida analisar o papel do Centro de Decisão Energética na Estratégia de Segurança Energética das Grandes Potências. O segundo capítulo analisa a geopolítica do controle dos recursos energéticos, com foco nas disputas geopolíticas pelo petróleo e da evolução das tecnologias relacionadas ao uso de petróleo e eletricidade nos principais conflitos do século XX. Por fim, o terceiro capítulo é destinado à operacionalização de indicadores quantitativos e qualitativos relacionados à estratégia energética adotada por grandes potências como EUA e também, pelo conjunto dos países emergentes que inclui Brasil, Rússia, Índia e China. Considera-se que a Energia é uma variável decisiva para se analisar as mudanças distribuição de poder entre as grandes potências. Destarte, a capacidade de decisão referente ao uso de recursos energéticos é central para garantir a Soberania de um Estado. / This thesis proposes that Energy is an important variable for explaining power relations among States, specifically hierarchy and distribution of Power in the International System. In this sense, Energy is understood as a system that comprehends the extraction of energy resources, the mechanisms for processing and the end-use energy consumption, and the capability to decide on the use of energy infrastructure, on research and on technological energy development. To accomplish this objective, this thesis is divided into three chapters. The first chapter aims to establish the relationship between Energy and Power in the theoretical-conceptual level, and analyzes the role of the Energy Decision Center on the Energy Security Strategy of the Great Powers. The second chapter analyzes the geopolitical control of energy resources, focusing on geopolitical disputes over oil and the development of technologies related to the use of oil and electricity in the great wars of the twentieth century. Finally, the third chapter is dedicated to operationalize quantitative and qualitative indicators related to energy strategy adopted by great powers like the U.S., as well by the group of emerging powers that includes Brazil, Russia, India and China. This thesis concludes that Energy is a decisive variable to analyze changes in the distribution of power among the Great Powers. Therefore, the decision-making capacity on the subject of the use of energy resources is essential to ensure the sovereignty of any State.