LAUSR

Abstract Increasing environmental awareness accompanied by the recent fluctuations in the fossil fuels underline the need to focus more on the management of energy mix and turn the attention towards renewable energies (REs). Diffusion and commercialization of renewable energy technologies are of paramount importance, particularly for developing countries. However, there are serious challenges and barriers that can be discussed in different aspects. This paper presents an applied and novel framework to tackle the challenges of diffusing and commercializing biomass energy technologies (BET) in developing countries. As a good example, our study focuses on the commercialization of the BETs in Iran. For this purpose, we provide an overview of the importance of commercialization of BETs. Then, by analysis of the literature and best cases, we identify crucial elements for commercialization of the BETs. Conducted surveys and theme analysis have resulted in a framework with 8 major dimensions and a total of 73 diverse components. The dimensions are technical and infrastructural; R & D and technology transfer; investment; social, cultural and behavioral; promotion and distribution; marketing and market building; macroeconomics; and support policy. Findings suggest that ‘investment' and ‘technical and infrastructural' dimensions are the two major pillars of the framework for commercialization of the BETs for developing countries.