Innovation, akin to crafting a novel recipe, involves identifying problems, experimenting, testing, and sharing solutions. This study delves into "reuse innovations," which emphasize prolonging product usage before disposal. A prime exemplar is Home Carbonation Kits (HCKs), which can replace over 3000 single-use water bottles. Despite the significance of reuse innovations, there's a noticeable gap in academic literature addressing their adaptation phase, which lies between market introduction and mass-market acceptance. This phase is fraught with challenges, often causing many companies to falter. This research aims to discern how circular companies can navigate these challenges by targeting specific niches. Utilizing the Technological Innovation Framework (TIS), tailored for reuse innovations, the study analyzes the HCK technology within the European soft drinks system. The research journey encompasses a semi-systematic literature review, framework adaptation, an explorative case study on HCK, and an assessment of niche strategies. Key findings reveal dominant niche strategies like "Stand-alone," "Adaptor," and "Educate." These strategies address pivotal barriers related to logistics, market knowledge, and consumer education. Additionally, "Supply Chain Redesign" emerges as a novel strategy, emphasizing efficient, cost-effective, and goal-aligned supply chain structures. In conclusion, this research offers invaluable insights into the intricate world of reuse innovations, providing a roadmap for future endeavors in the realm of circular economy.

Floating wind seems to be on the cusp of achieving large-scale diffusion with the commissioning of floating wind farms of commercial-scale. From a single full-scale prototype off the Norwegian coast in 2009, now to double digit rated capacity floating wind turbines to be commissioned by the end of 2022 and tens of gigawatts of installed capacity expected to be switched-on globally over the next decades. This can lead to fundamental changes in related industries and society, and the floating wind turbine is therefore considered a breakthrough technology. However, several designs of floating wind turbines have been invented, introduced and to some extent diffused in the floating wind market, while a dominant design has yet to emerge. The pattern of development and diffusion by Ortt & Schoormans (2004) is a widely adopted procedure that reveals how such a breakthrough technology may surpass consecutive phases that are characterized by distinct milestones prior to large-sale diffusion. This development and diffusion process may take on a lengthy and chaotic character in which large-scale diffusion of the breakthrough technology is blocked by barriers. Therefore, Ortt & Kamp (2019) developed a theoretical framework of core and influencing factors that serve as a prerequisite for large-scale diffusion of breakthrough technologies. To overcome or circumvent these barriers, the innovating company may adopt a niche strategy during the innovation phase to commercialize the technology, or to reintroduce the technology to the market after changing the physical aspects or the business model in order to better align the technology to the market during the market adaptation phase (Ortt, Langley, & Nico, 2013). Furthermore, niche strategies may be adopted to increase the knowledge and resources within the company, or to influence the broader technological innovation system by changing the behavior, opinion or perception of Suppliers, Customers or Institutions to gradually create or shape the niche market (Schulz, 2019). Thereby, the companies that developed the alternative designs of a floating wind turbine are well-guided in assessing the market and selecting a niche strategy accordingly. IHC IQIP is a supplier of equipment for the installation of reliable foundations and moorings in the offshore wind market and hence offers a unique set of knowledge, skills and competences to developed Complementary Products and Services – one of the core factors for large-scale diffusion - for the emerging floating wind market. Nevertheless, the perspective of a supplier of Complementary Products and Services and its strategic impact on the development and diffusion process has been largely neglected in the management and innovation literature. The theoretical objective of this thesis was therefore to create a better understanding about the mechanisms that drive market formation in a niche market where alternative designs of a breakthrough technology compete to achieve large-scale diffusion from the perspective of a so-called Complementor. In turn, the managerial objective was to develop a theoretical framework that aids managers in selecting a niche strategy to develop and diffuse Complementary Products and Services that are tailored to one or more designs in such a niche market.

The study embarks on a comprehensive investigation into the domain of circular innovation within Dutch high-tech firms, probing the dynamics of drivers, barriers, and the strategic impact of niche strategies. The research methodology builds upon the adaptable foundation of the Technological Innovation System (TIS) framework, adapting it to the unique contours of circular innovation. This framework guides the research objectives, which encompass discerning the propulsive forces driving circular innovation, unraveling the contextual intricacies, and critically evaluating the applicability of the adapted TIS framework. Guided by this framework, the research addresses three pivotal sub-questions that delve into the nuances of drivers, barriers and the strategic potency of niche strategies within the circular innovation landscape. The methodology seamlessly interweaves an expansive literature review with in-depth case studies of four distinct Dutch circular high-tech firms. Through rigorous qualitative analysis, recurrent drivers emerge, including the catalytic influence of emerging regulations, collaborative partnerships, strategic product design and value proposition, and intrinsic motivation. On the flip side, barriers encompass the complexities of production systems, complementary products and services, network formation and coordination, and the intricate maze of customer engagement challenges. Embedded within the empirical insights are four distinct niche strategies, meticulously tailored to specific contexts: the Redesign Niche Strategy, the Decentralization Niche Strategy, the Turnkey Product-Service System (PSS) Niche Strategy, and the Compliance-Driven Stepping-Stone Niche Strategy. These strategies come to light as potent tools in surmounting the entrenched barriers, underscoring the significance of strategic alignment with regulatory shifts, the formation of collaborative networks, and the innovation-driven approach to product design in propelling circular innovation. The strategic adaptation of the TIS framework to circular innovation not only enriches analytical depth but also highlights its pragmatic relevance. Consultations with experts from HollandCircularHotspot - a platform driving the advancement of the circular economy by facilitating collaboration, knowledge sharing, and representing Dutch circular companies on an international stage, serve to validate the framework's utility, affirming its efficacy in dissecting the ever-evolving landscape of circular innovation. Acknowledging its limitations, such as the limited scope of case studies and the geographical focus on Dutch high-tech companies, the study sets the stage for future research endeavors. In summation, this thesis offers a substantial contribution to comprehending the dynamics of circular innovation within Dutch high-tech enterprises. It underscores the pivotal role of specific strategies and reaffirms the pertinence of the adapted TIS framework. With its blend of empirical insights and theoretical foundations, the study illuminates potential pathways for circumventing barriers to circular innovation, paving the way for transformative change within the high-tech circular landscape.

Zero emission buses (ZEBs) have become an important part of the transition to sustainable urban transport. In 2016 the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment and 14 transport authorities signed a “Zero Emission Regional Public Transport by Bus” administrative agreement, stating that from 2025 onward all new buses must use 100% renewable energy and from 2030 all buses must be fully emission free. Since then the Dutch public transport system has added more than 1000 battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses to their bus fleet. These shifts towards increased sustainable mobility are influenced by policy changes and innovation in technology and institutions. In order to explain how such complex socio-technical transitions develop, it is therefore important to look at them from both a socio-technical and a policy perspective. Technological innovation and policy innovation are analyzed in different research fields, namely innovation studies and policy studies. In policy theory technological changes are considered as exogenous events, which can also be said about the multiple streams framework (MSF). It does not consider the differences in innovation patterns of technologies, which is the case in most policy literature. Meanwhile in technology transition theory policy changes are seen as a mere black box, which can be seen in the multilevel perspective (MLP) as well. It does not include the ways that policies develop. This makes it difficult to identify important policy-technology feedback links and dynamics in sustainability transitions. This research looks at the way in which the MLP and the MSF complement each other in order to provide a more holistic explanation of sustainability transitions and how this can be used in future research for theory synthesis. This will be done through a case study of the ongoing transition to ZEBs in the Dutch public transport sector. The aim of this research is to find ways in which the two frameworks strengthen one another, based on the findings of the case study. The results will then be used to generate a proposition to help synthesize and develop a conceptual framework in future research, which combines the MSF and MLP in order to have a more comprehensive explanation of sustainability transitions.

National policies that seek to stimulate the energy transition require attention with the requirement for generation sources that can compensate for moments when wind and solar plants are not available. Electricity supply needs to adjust to demand in real-time, at least until energy storage becomes commercially viable, otherwise the energy security is compromised. Hence, the dilemma for energy policies is to continue to promote the expansion of renewables at the same time they secure the provision of flexible sources. One well-known technology for such is the combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT). It has been used for a long time, however now there is concern over its economic viability due to the merit order effect of renewables. Germany is a front-runner in the energy transition and, recently, it enacted the Energy Market 2.0 to lay out a market design to accommodate the increasing intermittency. The underlying belief is that a competitive environment will allow market forces to provide the necessary flexibility in an economic efficient manner. Hence, the success of the Energiewende in this new policy framework depends on how the generation firms perceive the market conditions and investment incentives. This research investigates how these market actors and the federal government will perceive CCGT generation competitiveness, using generation costs as a criterion and external costs to account for social efficiency. A tailored Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) calculation is used to evaluate a CCGT power-plant in the context of a high presence of renewables. The method is broadly used and conveys the complexities of investment appraisal in a relatively simple manner, however there is no prior research that applies it to the described scenario. Energy storage is also investigated for comparison purposes. This research finds that CCGT generation firms in Germany will not have sufficient incentive to invest in new power-plants between 2020 and 2030. It is also found that the technology is not a cost-effective option for flexibility from a societal perspective either. Energy storage is more cost-advantageous than CCGT, especially when external costs are considered. Therefore, CCGT plants are expected not to be attractive for generation actors under the German energy policy framework. Vanadium batteries pose as a promising alternative for the system after 2030, but its uncertain cost development requires public investment to guarantee it effectively becomes competitive. Policies to incentivize CCGT generation seem economic inefficient and are not advisable, as the implementation of new plants during the next ten years would create long-term lock-ins.

In order to fight climate change, the EU is providing funds for knowledge development on water electrolysis technologies. Numerous projects have been funded so far, and an EU wide water electrolysis network has been formed, however, from an RTOs perspective, there is no overview of knowledge development and knowledge diffusion regarding the European Green hydrogen technological innovation system. In this thesis, we have used the CORDIS database to develop a social network model of all the water electrolysis projects funded by the EU, alongside we performed interviews with central European RTOs and reviewed project reports to analyze knowledge development and diffusion. We have summarized the key areas for knowledge development in PEM, SOE and Alkaline networks and we have also found certain issues related to knowledge development and diffusion within the green hydrogen network. Given these issues, we finally proposed recommendation for RTOs and the EU in order to improve knowledge development and diffusion.

This research explores the different envisioned roles of gas infrastructure for integrating offshore wind into the energy system of the North Sea Region (NSR). In this research, the NSR is defined as consisting of the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The NSR is characterized by the increasing use of their considerable offshore wind potential, its current decommissioning developments of coal and nuclear energy, and its history in supplying, transporting and consuming natural gas. Within the NSR, there are different visions on how to integrate and leverage the full potential of offshore wind. This research focuses on how these coexisting visions can be made more compatible; by being able to exist or occur together without problems or conflict. Of particular interest to us due to its large economic benefit is the repurposing of gas infrastructure. Electricity and gas infrastructure are interrelated by electrolysers producing hydrogen gas using electricity and gas-­fueled power plants producing electricity. Focusing on the integration of offshore wind in the energy system and the envisioned role of gas infrastructure, this research initially identified several important themes in different energy visions, such as the locations envisioned for placing electrolysers. In short, these themes entail both technologies, infrastructure choices, socio­economic drivers, policies and regulations. Subsequently, this research concluded that some themes are envisioned differently by various actors. These differences lead to multiple types of (in)compatibility of the different envisioned future energy systems in the NSR. In order to answer our main research question, the current state of compatibility in the NSR is characterized. This is done by subdividing the different identified themes into four different groups with varying (in)compatibility levels termed ‘Group A. Celebrated themes’, ‘Group B. Themes where actors envision the same approach’, ‘Group C. Themes with competition between different types of approaches’ and ‘Group D. Themes where there is no co­existence possible’. This research concludes that there are differing visions of themes in the NSR, that for a large part are based on fixed underlying societal and geographical themes. It is therefore impossible for actors to collaboratively pursue one uniform compatible energy integration vision, with the exact same details envisioned by every actor in the NSR. Therefore, this research recommends collaborative futuring, defined as maintaining one’s vision whilst considering other existing visions within the relating geographical and dimensional (gas, electricity, hydrogen, offshore wind, etc.) scope. Considering the four previously mentioned groups, when one is ‘collaborative futuring’, one accepts that not every theme can develop into a group ‘A. Celebrated themes’, but that one must prevent themes developing into or being a group 'D. No co-existence' theme. In order to gain insight into how different themes can be collaborated upon, this research has designed a ‘collaboration framework’ to structure the (in)compatibility levels of different themes.

The goal of this research is to identify barriers that hinder the development of phosphorus (P) recycling by the communal water chain. Insights into these barriers can lead to a better understanding of the situation and can lead to possible solutions to overcome the obstacles. The research shows that P recycling is a complex field with numerous actors involved and with multiple options to recover phosphate. To identify the barriers, a list of potential barriers was created based on the Innovation System theory, the theory of Functions of Innovation Systems and barriers from Circular Economy literature. Based on six perspectives, the institutional, technological, financial, infrastructural, knowledge and social perspective, the value chain was analysed to create an overview of the current situation of P recycling in the Dutch communal wastewater chain. The research focusses on struvite from wastewater and phosphorus from sludge ash. The lack of demand is regarded as the most important barrier. Barriers related to this issue are the lack of a sense of urgency by consumers, the price gap between raw and recycled phosphorus and the risk perception related to recycled materials. Phosphorus recycling needs cooperation between actors in the whole value chain and needs a system perspective. Without such a view, investments in one part of the value chain can reduce the effectiveness of investments in other parts.

This project investigates the feasibility of hydrogen refueling stations using photovoltaic systems for fuel cell scooters. The aim was to identify the solar electricity generation potential of noise barriers in the Netherlands and the connection between this and future theoretical hydrogen demand for fuel cell powered two wheelers (scooters or mopeds). Noise barriers block noise from inhabited areas, which is also where mopeds and their owners reside. Noise barriers retrofitted with solar panels, or Energy Walls, coupled with a hydrogen production, storage and dispensing system is proposed. This system would enhance sustainable, carbon neutral mobility as well as contribute renewable energy to the grid electricity mix. Particulate matter, greenhouse gases and noise pollution are reduced with electric drive vehicles such as fuel cell powered two wheelers. A case study of a noise barrier on the A20 in Rotterdam Noord was modeled; other suitable locations were identified as well, such as Amsterdam or Delft. The characteristics of the barrier in Rotterdam provided a lower levelized cost of PV electricity and was thus chosen to simulate specifically. A range of electrolyzer capacities was also simulated to understand the effect of the electrolyzer capacity and the final cost of hydrogen to the user. The demand base case was 100 scooters which traveled 2.5 km/day each on average. Provided a single metal hydride canister has a range of 25 km and capacity of 45 gH2 , this demand configuration means 0.45 kgH2/day needs to be produced for the users. An hourly simulation of the energy production was modeled using two control strategies, which focused on maximizing the Energy Wall input and the use of the electrolyzer respectively. The second strategy had higher electricity costs as compared to the first, however the cost of the electrolyzer was minimal regardless of the number of panels. The cost of hydrogen depends on the size of the Energy Wall and the electrolyzer capacity; for the lowest cost setup the price of hydrogen ranged between 14.3 and 7.2 EURO/kgH2 . The cost per kilometer traveled by fuel cell scooters was found to be between 2.57 and 1.4 ¢/km. Battery electric vehicles are still much cheaper to operate in this aspect, driving at a cost mileage of between 0.3 and 0.6 ¢/km, however gas powered scooters had the highest cost per kilometer (3 - 5¢/km). This model finds that the operational costs of a hydrogen fuel cell scooter are lower than its gas scooter counterpart, but not low enough to compete with battery powered scooters. The one advantage of gas scooters is the range on one refuel, however with their relatively high operational costs and emissions, electric drive engines become favorable. Battery electric have a good cost efficiency. Fuel cell scooters are quickly recharged with canisters, and are mid-cost range to operate compared to the other two technologies.

Nonintrusive Load Monitoring (NILM) can be used to disaggregate household energy usage collected from a central meter to the level of individual appliances, but has so far mostly been applied in controlled, small-scale settings. Further potential such as the application for energy efficiency classification and management have remained largely untapped. In this research a machine learning model was developed and deployed to determine energy consumption, usage pattern and energy efficiency characteristics of real-life dishwasher usage based on smart meter data. The developed NILM system was deployed on a full year of smart meter data for nearly 130.000 households in the Netherlands. The analysis was accompanied by a survey to gain additional information on the households usage behaviour. The average energy consumption for all households was found to be 1.18kWh per wash, with dishwashers used 240 times per year on average. Dependencies are shown for household size, washing temperature, machine efficiency label as well as time of day, week and year. It was estimated that 9 in 10 households could reduce their dishwasher energy consumption, with an average saving potential of more than 30% per year. The developed method showed to be suitable to gain insight into average electricity consumption and usage patterns on an appliance level, non-intrusively and at large-scale. Additional survey data was shown to provide comparative insight between different user groups. The developed framework can be easily expanded for other major appliances and could be used to drive tailored consumer feedback on energy efficiency improvements within households.

The environmental awareness in business practices has grown to be a central issue in corporate social responsibility for many multinational companies. Unfortunately, it remains a way of brand management for many companies, rather than a drive for structural change in business practices.Business models should therefore be reshaped, to deliver environmental sustainability based on the core logic of a firm. While previous studies are concerned with the typological and antecedent factor of start-ups’ environmental orientation, this study seeks to explore how start-ups incorporate their environmental orientation into their business model and (re)design their business model to respond to changing market demand for ecological sustainable solutions. An important distinction is made between sustainability practices that are innovating the business model as a whole (e.g. architectural innovations) and sustainability practices that are affecting single components of the business model (e.g. modular innovations). It is argued that environmental sustainability can position itself within the architecture of a business model, influencing all business decisions, or environmental sustainability can position itself outside of the business model, allowing for modular business model innovations. To explore the role of environmental sustainability for business model innovation of start-ups within Indonesia, a multiple case study design has been set up. Two startups that are in the process of designing their initial business model are selected, one company that has ecological sustainability embedded in the design of the product, and one that is focused on other, mainly economic brand related, values to remain competitive. Also two startups that have already commercialized their product and thus have an established business model are scrutinized. Again, one company that has ecological sustainability embedded in the design of the product, and one that is focused on other, mainly economic brand related, values to remain competitive. The research design allows for cross case comparison on the different axes whilst aggregated data may reveal more general approaches towards environmental sustainability. All four cases were found to consider the environment in their business model to a certain degree. Seven sustainability practices have emerged from the aggregated data and is linked to business model components. It was found that, however space for improvement, the cases on the sustainable value dimension did place environmental sustainability within the architecture of their business model, considering the environment from the core logic of their business and affecting to a certain extent the interdependencies of the subsystems. The cases on the economic, brand related dimension showed to position environmental sustainability outside of the architecture of their business, not regarding the natural environment as a stakeholder. Consequently, they merely allowed modular business model innovations regarding environmental sustainable practices. However progressive, the ecological orientation of the cases on the sustainable value dimension can be said to eco-open rather than eco-dedicated, whilst the ecological orientation of <Case 2> and <Case 4> are to be placed on the spectrum between eco-open and eco-reluctant.

Power generation is at the forefront of a transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy sources (RES). Wind energy is a promising technology with rapid developments and the installed base of wind turbines is continuously increasing. Currently, the majority of the installed wind turbines can be categorised under the direct drive wind turbine and the gearbox turbine. Both technologies have a substantial market share and the technological developments in this industry are advancing rapidly. At this stage, it is uncertain which technology will become the dominant design in the future. Therefore, both designs are analysed in this research by the application of the Best-Worst-Method, a type of Multi-Criteria-Decision-Making model. First, a list of factors for technology dominance is established for the technology battle between direct drive and gearbox wind turbines by conducting interviews with experts in the wind turbine market. The relevance of these factors is determined in a literature study. This results in a set of relevant factors that are ranked during a second round of interviews among four categories of experts in the wind turbine market. Furthermore, the experts will ranked the direct drive and gearbox technology with respect to the relevant factors for this specific case. This methodology is applied during three phases of the technology dominance process. Hereby is empirically determined if there is a change in the importance of factors and final technology score throughout the dominance process. This provides insight in which of both designs is most likely to become the dominant design in the future. During this study, a list of 8 relevant factors for the technology battle between direct drive and gearbox wind turbines has been established and two new factors are found. These factors and two technologies have been ranked in three phases of the dominance process resulting in a ranked list of factors and a final technology score. Based on this it is found that the importance of factors varies between the three phases of the dominance process. Furthermore, it is found that before the technology battle the gearbox wind turbine scored highest and that currently the transition from gearbox to direct drive wind turbines is going on. Our data proves that the direct drive wind turbine will win the technology battle and will become dominant. However, we also found that the wind turbine market cannot be considered as a “winner takes it all” market. Implying that the gearbox and direct drive wind turbine can coexist, where the direct drive is the dominant technology. In this study a new factor was found (rate of adoption) that allows both technologies to coexist. We suggest to further analyse the effects of this factor in future research to provide a body of cases to confirm the effect of the rate of adoption on coexistence. Furthermore, it is suggested to research the effect of policies with respect to the factors for technology dominance that have been found to speed up the adoption of wind turbines as a renewable energy source. Finally, we propose to construct a framework that provides an overview of which factors apply to which industry. This framework can serve as a valuable managing/ decision making tool.

This thesis examines the pressing environmental issue stemming from the accumulation of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), particularly within the automotive sector. Despite directives from the European Commission aiming to promote a circular economy, challenges persist in effectively managing WEEE, particularly in End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs). Current dismantling practices often lead to the loss of valuable materials, exacerbating environmental and health risks. Recognizing the need for improved data sharing, this research investigates the potential of the International Data Spaces (IDS) initiative in enhancing WEEE management within the automotive industry, with a focus on ELV dismantling. The primary research question centers on how IDS can facilitate WEEE information exchange between manufacturers and dismantlers within the automotive sector. The study is structured into five phases to comprehensively address this question: Exploratory Phase: This phase identifies current barriers to WEEE information sharing in the automotive industry, employing the Circular Economy (CE) monitoring framework for analysis. Requirements Elicitation Phase: Through desk research, legislative analysis, and stakeholder interviews, essential requirements for effective information sharing are identified, considering barriers, legislative mandates, and dismantlers' perspectives. Application Phase: The feasibility of meeting identified requirements using IDS is explored, drawing on academic literature and documentation from the IDS initiative. Concluding Phase: Findings from previous stages are integrated to address the main research question regarding IDS's role in facilitating WEEE information sharing. Discussion Phase: The final phase evaluates the research approach, discusses conclusions, limitations, and suggests avenues for future research. Barriers to WEEE information sharing within the automotive industry encompass incomplete documentation, lack of harmonization, information gaps, inconsistent data entry, and restricted accessibility. These findings inform the elicitation of requirements, emphasizing the need for detailed dismantling information, interoperability, and user-friendly interfaces. Evaluation of IDS demonstrates its potential in providing dismantlers access to fundamental information, simplifying data access processes, ensuring data sovereignty, facilitating interoperability, and supporting initiatives like the circularity vehicle passport. However, its effectiveness relies on stakeholder participation and regulatory support. In conclusion, this thesis proposes IDS as a solution to enhance WEEE information sharing in the automotive industry, contributing to sustainable development and advancing scientific understanding. Further research is recommended to address implementation challenges and develop specific ontologies tailored to the automotive sector.

Sustainability transitions is a complex multi-dimensional research field. In this field, different frameworks exist that have grown as separate strands while they actually contain many similarities and in some cases can even complement each other. In general, these frameworks try to present and clarify the processes related to transitions of socio-technical systems and the emergence, diffusion and utilization of technological innovations. To do so, researchers carry out historical event analyses for specific cases. This means that they gather, process and analyse data about events that have happened in the past to build a narrative of how an innovation has developed or a transition took place over time. Although there are guidelines in literature on how this should be done for each framework, the case results as presented in academic papers are often varied and the clarification behind the results and the used data can be unclear. In this research an attempt has been made to reduce this variance and unclarity by building a tool in which the data gathering, categorizing and processing of sustainability transitions research cases is done structurally and the data itself is systemically presented through visualisations. This tool is a software based digital platform, referred to as the Sustainability Transitions Platform (STP). In the first draft of the platform functionalities have been limited and the sustainability transitions theory has been focused on the Multi-Level Perspective and Technological Innovation Systems. These are two of the most frequently used frameworks in the field and a combination of both is already being experimented with taking advantage of their commonalities and complementarities. The combined framework contains three elements that are deemed important to build the system of the case. These are i) the environment in which the technological innovation system resides; ii) the actors, networks and institutions of the system; iii) the functions analysis tool to determine how the parts of the system are functioning. These elements have been translated to the platform as three separate visualization tools, which are: 1. Technology environment, which presents the technology being analysed within a graph together with other technologies relevant for the analysis as comparison and landscape factors that influence the system. 2. Structural components, which presents all the actors, in a structured way through predefined groups, and their networks in the same graph and also present the relevant institutions in an adjacent table. 3. TIS functions analysis, which presents how the system is functioning in a radar chart based on a set of functions and their corresponding indicators. These visualization tools are intended to present the case data in a structured way in order to help users of the platform better understand the system development process and make it comparable between cases. The platform template has been tested through a case for offshore wind energy technology in Brazil. From this case we have seen that i) the data does indeed need to be implemented structurally; ii) the visualization tools in the platform present the system through the three required elements of the framework; and iii) the platform user is able to determine possible bottlenecks for further development of the system. Another advantage gained by carrying out the case in a platform instead of how they currently are in journals, is that the digital aspects of the platform allow users to interact with the visualization tools and the underlying data which can help clarify the reasoning behind the conclusions of analysis. From the case we have also learned that in the current version of the platform i) inputting the data can be very time consuming and should in the future be automated; and ii) some essential aspects of the case are still not presented in the visualization tools, for example, the power or influence specific actors have in a system, which should be taken into account in future versions. The STP appears to have a positive effect on sustainability transitions case implementation and would be recommended to be further developed. Given its dynamic nature it should also be used as an experimentational tool to merge the strengths of other frameworks in sustainability transitions research to eventually generate a single more complete framework and act as a bridge between theory and practice.

Solar Electric Vehicles recently emerged in the market to solve dilemmas that have been hindering the EVs mass uptake: limited driving range, long charging time, and limited charging infrastructures. The SEV utilization is especially interesting for those who live in areas with many sun hours annually but have limited EV charging infrastructures. Interestingly, Indonesia is located along the equator, lacks EV charging facilities, and has a big market size for SEV. Even more, Indonesia has the urge to boost its decarbonization to meet its climate goals, especially in its transport sector. The combination of these facts leads to the overarching question if SEV could be easily mass adopted in Indonesia. However, the TIS perspective argues that, as part of a complex system of systems, SEV would need not only good technological features but also other “actors, factors and functions” to help it to reach its mass adoption (Ortt et al., 2013). Therefore, it leads to the main research question: “From the technical innovation system perspective, how could solar electric vehicles reach mass adoption in Indonesia?” This research is conducted in collaboration with Lightyear – a SEV producer. As Lightyear is aiming to mass produce its SEV, therefore, this research is conducted to explore and evaluate the Indonesian market, so that the best strategy recommendation could be provided to Lightyear so it could commercialize its SEV in a large scale in Indonesia. The qualitative research approach is implemented in this research by reviewing diverse online literature, including both scientific and grey literature. The TIS Framework (Ortt & Kamp, 2022) and the Ten Niche Strategies framework (Ortt et al., 2013) are used as the starting point of the research. TIS is defined as innovation systems around a specific technology that consists of four main elements: the technology, a network of actors, the institutions, and the demand. Ortt & Kamp’s TIS framework is a tool to examine the TIS of an innovation that is in its adaptation phase to judge whether the innovation is ready for its mass uptake or whether a small-scale niche introduction strategy is needed prior to the large-scale diffusion. The framework consists of three major elements: TIS building blocks (most important aspects needed for large-scale diffusion), influencing factors, and strategies. When certain influencing factors negatively affect the completeness of the TIS building blocks, they pose as barriers to the mass adoption of the innovation. Certain strategies could be implemented to circumvent these barriers, such as the generic Ten Niche Strategies proposed by Ortt et al. The research is conducted in four major steps. First, basic information about SEV technology is explored. Second, a new framework called “the Best Strategy Framework” is developed to extend and complete the original TIS Framework and Ten Niche Strategies Framework so that the users/readers could select the best strategy based on the combination of barriers that hinder mass adoption of the innovations. Third, the newly developed framework is used to evaluate the Indonesian market and to identify the barriers that might hamper Lightyear’s SEV mass adoption in Indonesia. Finally, by using the newly developed framework, the best strategy that could circumvent the identified barriers is selected and proposed to Lightyear.

Research on the effect and influence of external factors on the sustainable business model elements of technology-based start-ups in the Netherlands operating in the PV sector. This resulted in research findings demonstrating that external factors exert a substantial influence on the business model dynamics of Dutch technology-based PV start-ups. Understanding and adapting to these external influences is essential for the sustained success of these start-ups, emphasizing the need for strategic responsiveness and alignment with the evolving external environment. It also shows that the findings of this thesis are not limited to Dutch technology-based PV start-ups but can also be applicable to start-ups in the renewable energy sector, or even start-ups in general.

Wind energy is deemed important in the Netherlands in sustainable energy transitions. While Commercial Wind Energy Project Developers (CWEPDs) bring professionalism, Local Energy Cooperatives (LECs) promote local renewable initiatives. The Dutch Klimaatakkoord aims for 50% community-owned renewable electricity, but real-world implementation of community involvement is unclear. The Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework helps understand 'rules-in-use' for decision-making. This study explores how LECs and CWEPDs interact with these rules, focusing on Dutch onshore wind farm projects. Using 14 case studies, the research compares organisational forms in project outcomes, employing interviews and written sources for data collection and statistical testing and QCA for analysis. Key findings include LECs completing projects faster and with fewer objections than CWEPDs and the importance of transparent information sharing. The study suggests policy and development implications, highlighting the need for more inclusive and transparent decision-making in wind energy projects.

Costa Rica’s electric grid is dominated by renewable sources, mostly by hydropower 74% and with geothermal 12.4% and wind 10.6%. Hence, in dry season when the water levels drop significantly, there are difficulties to supply the national electricity demand (CENCE, 2016). Despite this and the added fact that the country’s has enormous solar energy potential, solar PV technology has not been diffused to act as an energy complement during dry season it merely represents 0.01% of the energy grid as outlined by Valverde, Lara, Lobo, & Rojas (2015). However, recent global and local developments have spurred the country’s demand for solar PV projects. Globally, there has been a dramatic decrease in solar PV panel’s prices causing significant cost reductions for solar PV installations (Feldman & Barbose, 2015). In Costa Rica a recent executive decree resulted in enabling and regulating the distributed energy generation model on renewable systems however only for self-sustaining purposes including that of solar PV.

In recent years, development of a concept from the mid- 1970's has led to the emergence of Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES). Currently the AWES sector encompasses dozens of companies that are developing a range of concepts of, more or less automated, flying wings attached to a tether which convert wind energy to electricity. At the time of this writing however, AWE as a technology discipline is still in early stages of development; not a single company has been capable of producing a commercially ready system. This phase, where the primary goal is to commercialise technology, is described as the 'valley of death' as here the risk of failure is high. In literature this phase has gathered attention from a policy perspective, however the perspective of the entrepreneur is scarcely researched. This research will attempt to find an answer to the problems that entrepreneurs encounter in the valley of death. The valley of death is defined as: A phase that occurs during commercialisation of technology where a combination of long and costly development and a lack of resources cause an environment where the risk of failure is high for organisations to introduce the first commercial product.This definition, combined with a literature review on challenges that are likely to occur in this phase, forms the context that defines the strategies.In four expert interviews with private sector investors and experienced entrepreneurs, this context is discussed. The findings from these interviews are combined with insights from literature to identify three likely challenges: 1) technology uncertainty, which is caused by the inherent complexity of hardware development and production, which result in long and costly development. 2) market uncertainty, which is caused by difficulties in matching technology characteristics to market needs, hesitance by other stakeholders or competing against an incumbent regime and 3) lack of financial resources, which is the result of high costs during the commercialisation of hardware technology and a tendency to under invest by the private sector. In order to identify a possible way to deal with these answers findings from a separate literature review and from the four expert interviews are combined. From this, eight strategies emerge.The findings in this analysis show that activities belonging to all seven functions are found in the AWES TIS. Possible barriers are found in functions five and six. There is little to no market formation, only through technology push by the entrepreneurs. Resources are considered scarce for development and AWES technology development is costly and long. These barriers are similar to the challenges and characteristics of the valley of death. Concluding on the main research question the valley of death was redefined from the perspective of the technology developer, including multiple perspectives. It is characterised by a low availability of resources and organisations that develop hardware based technology are at risk of failing to commercialise. By identifying and testing common strategies for their applicability this research was able to provide a way to reduce the risk of failure in this phase. Start-ups that develop new technologies must prioritise commercialisation of their technology by focusing on minimum development towards specific needs in order to generate revenue. However, for hardware based innovation external resources are needed to fund development. By demonstrating the ability to find value these start-ups increase the chance to appeal to investors in the private sector and secure the necessary funding.

Background, issues, and main research questions: Circularity (circular economy) is being developed in many countries around the world where it has been set as a development goal (Schröder et al, 2019). However, the progress in implementing circularity varies from country to country. Most of the countries that are leading in circularity are European countries (Construcia, 2020). The Global South is less advanced than the former, but the development of circularity is necessary and urgent for the Global South. For example, in Indonesia, where lagging industrial development and high levels of waste generation are currently causing problems such as industrial depression, environmental pollution and threats to human health, the implementation of circularity can help sustain and promote industrial development and address the problems caused by growing waste (Preston & Lehne, 2017). At the same time, in the face of the current global problem of increasing resource consumption, the implementation of circularity has been identified as an important goal not only for regional development, but also as a common priority for global development (Circular Economy Action Plan, 2020). In this context, this study therefore aims to investigate how to accelerate the implementation of circularity in the Global South and European countries. Specifically, the study decided to conduct a comparative case study between several European countries and Indonesia. Furthermore, innovation related to circularity is included in the theme of this study. The main research questions are therefore how circularity/innovation has been or is being implemented in European countries and Indonesia, what are the distinctive characteristics behind the implementation, and what recommendations can be made for the development of circularity/innovation in Indonesia and European countries. Methodology: It is a literature-based study. A multidimensional perspective, entailing the levels of the state, civil society and individual enterprises, is the main research approach of this study. Furthermore, the functioning and rules of Systems I and II (Kroesen et al, 2020) provide theoretical and conceptual support for the entire study. Three cases (biogas technology, circularity of plastics, and innovations in the pulp and paper industry) were selected for this study, corresponding to three selected European countries (Finland, Germany, and Sweden) compared to Indonesia. Three main steps were established to conduct this study. Firstly under each case, the selected European countries and Indonesia were subjected to their respective case descriptions and analyses. A comparative analysis and discussion of the selected European countries and Indonesia was then carried out under each case. Finally, corresponding conclusions and recommendations were drawn for the implementation of circularity/innovation in Indonesia and the selected European countries. Results, conclusions and recommendations: Towards circularity/innovation, a transition is taking place between System I and System II, with both the European countries and Indonesia in this study navigating through it. This study shows that the European countries' distinctive characteristics in terms of circularity/innovation are close to those of System II, independent of those of System I, while a large number of Indonesia's distinctive characteristics in terms of circularity/innovation lack to some extent those of System II, and in addition, some of Indonesia's distinctive characteristics are close to those of System I. The distinctive characteristics of System II are of key importance for the implementation of circularity/innovation, as progress in implementing circularity/innovation is positively correlated with the extent to which countries make the transition to System II.The efficiency and effectiveness of the state, civil society and individual enterprises in implementing circularity/innovation has been positively demonstrated in the European countries studied. There is a beneficial interaction between state policies with a high level of scientific and technological research and civil society and individual enterprises with a high level of initiative and planning, thus facilitating the implementation of circularity/innovation. However, in Indonesia, although the state, civil society and individual enterprises were all involved in the implementation of circularity/innovation, the interaction between them was less efficient and effective than the former, as unclear vision-setting and over-intervention by the government, poor citizen behaviour and a lack of local initiatives and planning may have hindered the interaction between the various levels when it comes to circularity/innovation, as was observed to some extent.The following are three particular examples of conclusions and recommendations. In the European countries studied and in Indonesia, open cooperation and complementary relationships between multiple stakeholders in the product supply chain, as well as the openness of customers to accept circular innovative products, are reflected in a more effective implementation of circularity (1). Based on the experience of the European countries studied, the state leaves the space for initiation and implementation to civil society and individual enterprises, while policy development is strictly focused on R&D, which could serve as a reference for more effective implementation of circularity/innovation in Indonesia (2). Indonesia, which is to a large extent close to System I, is at risk of excessive state intervention and over-dependence of stakeholders on relationships, while for the European countries studied, which are close to System II, there may be a risk of too much corporate individualism and liberal behaviour at the expense of the role of the state. Thus, the role of Systems I and II in the implementation of circularity/innovation is not black and white, but more or less so (3).