Technology domain analysis: A case of energy-efficient advanced commercial refrigeration technologies

Effective and economical tools and techniques that contribute to a more efficient and faster association of ideas to support technology research and development efforts are important. Many methods, tools, and techniques to identify promising technology R&D opportunities require experts' opinion. Finding qualified experts is no simple task-but it is critical because such knowledge and experience directly determine the quality of the results. Since the 1960s, the idea of identifying the most important actors in a society or people with prestige in the community has gained interest. Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a common method for identifying knowledgeable people within a community. The SNA method is coupled with Bibliometric Analysis and Patent Analysis to determine experts in the field of advanced commercial refrigeration technologies, along with their corresponding affiliations and contact information. The results support the work of energy efficiency engineers at the Bonneville Power Administration (a federal wholesale electric utility in the United States) who desired such information to continue to develop and implement measures to drive regional energy conservation for their customer utilities.