Exploring the role of transdisciplinary research in accelerating sustainability transition: an empirical analysis of environmental innovation drivers in Central European energy sector

Energy transition requires environmental innovations (EIs), which, theoretically, could be accelerated by transdisciplinary research (TR). Although the recent literature also suggests that both EI and TR can be constrained in impact generation, the integrative view of TR and EI in the energy industry is overlooked. This study focuses on the top-down (policy) and bottom-up (inter-organizational) innovation drivers which could turn TR into EI in the fast-changing Central European energy sector. Results of a three-year-long transdisciplinary action research empirically demonstrate that TR and EI could be interconnected. In addition to prior findings, however, even the slight misalignment between the innovation drivers could constrain impact generation, as long-term complementors, e.g., biomethane and hydrogen, could become mid-term competitors for policy support. This is the first EI study which highlights the role of TR-based innovation interplays for the energy transition through the example of a biomethane-based process innovation and a hydrogen-based system innovation. • Integrative view of transdisciplinary research (TR) and environmental innovation (EI) • Analysis of top-down (policy) and bottom-up (inter-organizational) innovation drivers • Focus on biomethane-based process innovation and hydrogen-based system innovation • Not only directions but timing of innovation drivers should also be aligned • TR-based innovation interplays accelerate the energy transition in Central Europe