Abstract
Innovative power-to-X (P2X) technologies, as a set of emerging new solutions, could play a crucial role in creating sustainable, carbon-neutral economies, such as the hydrogen economy. These technologies, however, are generally not yet implemented on a commercial scale. This research focuses on how innovative, digital inter-organizational knowledge networks of industry representatives and universities could contribute to the commercial implementation of P2X technologies and increase the pace of sustainable hydrogen-based development. The findings of an extended case study with a hybrid (qualitative–quantitative) methodology and a five-year time horizon, suggest the need for a digital knowledge platform, where universities and industry representatives add and combine their knowledge. In contrast with expectations, however, the empirical results show that academia would, not only be capable of supporting the exploration of new solutions, but foster the exploitation of more mature technologies as well. Similarly, large energy companies could also drive exploratory activities, not only exploitative ones. The findings highlight the possible central role of the “system builder” actor, who integrates exploitative-explorative learning and facilitates the formation of a (digital) innovation ecosystem. By exceeding the dominant techno-economic and environmental aspects, this research contributes to the literature by highlighting the applicability of network-based innovation management theory for hydrogen economy research.
Highlights
Immense pressure on societies in developed countries to create carbon-neutral economies requires rapid innovation and technological development as well as knowledge transfer related to renewable energy technologies, energy storage, and smart energy systems [1].A promising strategic direction for creating carbon-neutral economies is the hydrogen economy, which is “a proposed system where hydrogen is produced and used extensively as the primary energy carrier” [2] (p. 1572)
Even though numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of industry–university cooperation, Mascarenhas et al [25] suggest that there is a clear need for research into “the process of partner selection and the way these innovation partnerships function” (p. 717). Addressing these aspects in this research narrows the scope to knowledge flows between industry and universities, so enables an in-depth analysis to be provided in the P2X segment. Based on these theoretical assumptions and recent calls for research, this study focuses on the problem that P2X technologies are rarely implemented in grid-scale but, according to the theory, facilitating knowledge transfer and learning within an inter-organizational
Universities could support the exploitative activities of technology developer startups and large energy companies, and large energy companies could support the explorative activities of universities and technology developer startups if they are connected within an “innovation ecosystem”. This is a dynamic and adaptive system, in which actors have different capabilities, roles, and motivations, but they collaborate for the success of the innovation process [107]. Considering that these knowledge processes could happen in the digital environment, this study showed that “digital innovation ecosystems” [108] are relevant in the case of the development of the hydrogen economy as well
Summary
Immense pressure on societies in developed countries to create carbon-neutral economies requires rapid innovation and technological development as well as knowledge transfer related to renewable energy technologies, energy storage, and smart energy systems [1].A promising strategic direction for creating carbon-neutral economies is the hydrogen economy, which is “a proposed system where hydrogen is produced and used extensively as the primary energy carrier” [2] (p. 1572). Industry actors and scholars argue that power-to-X (P2X), especially power-to-gas (P2G) (including power-to-hydrogen (P2H) and power-to-methane (P2M)) and power-to-liquid (P2L) technologies are innovative in this area. These technologies can absorb surplus renewable electricity, provide network balancing services to reduce maintenance costs and energy storage solutions to avoid energy loss, integrate energy sectors, reuse carbon dioxide, and facilitate sustainable transitions [3,4,5]. Innovative P2X technologies, are not widely implemented on a commercial scale yet, and research results suggest that change in the energy sector is hampered because of the exploitative, risk-averse routines of large energy companies and the strict institutional background [6,7]. This phenomenon has been supported recently by empirical evidence in the case of P2X technologies as well [8]
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