行動中的川流發電：小水力綠能技術創新的行動者網絡分析

Green Energy in Action: ANT Analysis of the Innovation of the Micro Hydropower System in Taiwan

綠能時代來臨之後，相較於歐、美、日等技術先進國家，做為技術後進國家的台灣社會，有沒有可能在「綠能技術移轉」之外，也有自身獨特的「綠能技術創新」？如果有，這樣的技術創新，會有哪些技術與社會之特質？本文由技術社會史深度描述入手，刻畫台灣社會技術後進狀態下技術創新之特質。分析架構上則以行動者網絡理論(ANT)為主軸，適度納入技術的社會建構(SCOT)之挑戰與修正，追溯並分析一位戰後初期出生於雲林農村，小學畢業、低制式學歷、高地方知識的本土發明家兼中小企業主；這位在地綠能技術創新者以全台灣遍布農田水圳為基礎，發明全世界獨一無二的「川流式水力發電」水輪機系統。創新者原係鐘錶師傅背景，多年拆解、組裝與改良鐘錶，不斷面對外來技術物「以物瞭悟」原理之後，演變出後進社會獨特的技術課題與技術解答。藉由這樣的「後進技術框架」與「工業地方知識」，川流發電系統逐漸形成更多人與非人之異質聯結，並在協商過程中嘗試強化新萌生網絡之穩固性。

In the age of green energy, is it possible that Taiwan, as a latecomer compared with European countries, the United States, and Japan in terms of technology, can have its own unique 'green technological innovation' instead of merely relying on 'green technology transfer'? If the answer is yes, then what are the characteristics of such innovation, specific to Taiwanese society? This paper starts with a deep description of the social history of technology, elaborating on the characteristics of technological innovation in such a latecomer society as Taiwan, by tracing and analyzing the story of a native of Yunlin County, Taiwan, who, born shortly after World War II, is an inventor as well as an entrepreneur. The analytical frame of this paper is based on actor-network-theory (ANT), while applying and revisioning the social construction of technology (SCOT). With little formal education, but a large amount of industrial local knowledge, this green-energy technological innovator invented 'small-scale water current turbines,' based on traditional irrigation systems, an infrastructure constructed all over Taiwan. This innovator began his career by repairing clocks and watches, and after many years, he identified technological problems and developed technological solutions unique to a latecomer society, by constantly confronting himself with and developing his knowledge of foreign objects. Through the 'latecomer technological frame' and 'industrial local knowledge, 'small-scale water current turbine systems have gradually formed heterogeneous associations between humans and nonhumans and have attempted to negotiate and thus stabilize the emerging network.