Trends in Sustainable Energy Innovation: transition teams

Abstract

We focus on transition teams and social interactions and innovation in three energy cases. In PXL University of Applied Sciences, the transition team is built using the quadruple helix framework. Arestart has been made from here to put a new M(aintenance) E(nergy) P(erformance) C(ontract) on the market for (campus) buildings. The transition team is a catalyst to include sustainability within the mission and vision. PXL is the first Flemish higher education institution to acquire the SDG Pioneer label awarded by the UN. Stedin Netbeheer, (distribution system operators) though strictly regulated, has set itself the goal of accelerating the energy transition where possible. The transition team focuses on ensuring that the technical blue-collar employees obtain more decisiveness and greater autonomy necessary to “do different” and “organize differently”. In the grassroot experiment in Haarlem the transition team improves environmental and climate indicators (reduction of CO2, NOX and particulate matter, creation of more vacant spaces, ….), together with behavioral changes. It is indicated how the transition team worked and progressed towards “coalitions for change” and how “change processes” have started. These paradigm shifts to new “energy systems” in combination with new business models and societal transition are needed to achieve a post carbon society.