The presentation introduces the concept of configurational innovation systems as a subtype of technological innovation systems. Configurational innovation systems evolve around technologies that are highly dependent on the local context for their implementation. The talk introduces the concept of generic innovation systems as a counterpart of configurational innovation systems, which evolve around technologies that are less dependent on the local context for their implementation. The differentiating between configurational innovation systems and generic innovation systems is relative in terms of scale, yet it has repercussions for the defining pillars and key processes of technological innovation systems. Due to their stronger local context dependence, configurational innovation systems feature more fragmented actor structures, interaction, and institutions. The empirical evidence from the German heat sector, which is presented in the thesis, suggests that due to this more fragmented structure, configurational innovation systems are prone to problematic development patterns. These hinder supportive policy change and hence slow the rate of diffusion of more sustainable innovations, as well as of sustainability transitions more generally.

1. Configurational Innovation Systems
NTNU Energy Team Society Webinar
Julius Wesche (PhD)
@JuliusWesche

2. 2
Slow low carbon transition of the
German building sector

3. 3
The majority of German buildings
are heated with fossil fuels
Source: German Association of Energy and Water Industries

4. 4
Innovation Systems
Actors
Networks
Institutions
Policy Norms,
habits,
Infrastructure
physical,
financial,
knowledg
e
Technology

5. 5
Qualitative interview study
@ChristinaMorillo
Interviews with 28 initiators and supporters
of non-urban heating networks
Interviews with eight experts at national level
(NGOs, lobby groups, other scientists, etc.)

6. 6
Characteristics for the German
building sector
 Strong geographic coupling between heat generation and demand
(expensive to transport)
 The supply must be specifically adapted to each building (heating
infrastructure, residents, degree of insulation).
 High local context dependency
 Almost no dominant designs at the system level, only at the
component level
 A large number of technological components and possible solutions
 Enormous local need for knowledge (regulatory, technical)
 Fragmented groups of actors

7. 7
Difference between Heating and
Electrcity sector
 Decoupling between generation and demand
 Little dependence on the local context in the
implementation
 Strong dominant designs (wind turbines & solar PV)
 Easier replacement with more efficient and modern
technologies
 Strong link between generation and demand
 Product configuration depending on location
 High local context dependency at
implementation points
 Almost (no) dominant designs
In the literature on technological innovation systems,
this distinction was new and not yet described.

8. 8
The difference between generic and
configurational technologies
Generic Technologies
Fleck 1993
 Dominant designs due to strong
technological identities
 Clear development trajectories due to
dominant designs
 Mainly within manufacturer organizations
and largely mono-directional towards
implementation
 Weak identity (ever changing local context)
 Rather unclear development trajectories -
since dominant designs do not develop or
develop only slowly
 Multidirectional flow of information.
Decentralized knowledge generation and
learning is more pronounced
Configurational Technologies

9. 9
Local context dependency of TIS
(relative and fluid concept)

10. 10
Overview of the differences between
cnfgratonl and generic innovation systems
 Dominant designs that emerge quickly
 Limited number of technologies
 Lower number of actors
 Easier formation of coalitions to
represent interests
 No dominant designs
 Large number of configurations
 Large number of actors
 Many different visions
 Little productive interaction and lobbying work
Due to the less context-dependent influences, generic TIS
may develop faster than configurational Inovation Systems
Generic TIS Configurational TIS

11. 11
Implications: How to accelerate the
developent of Configurational TIS?
General Approach
 Create a supportive environment for diffusion.
 Decrease complexity and enable local actors to manage the high degree of context
specificity.
Measures
 Chose the most promising alternatives (for example based on their technology readiness
or sustainability potential) and create measures that focus on supporting these.
 Reduce support for measures that are not envisioned to be part of the future.
 Facilitate vertical and horizontal knowledge exchange.

12. 12
Policy measures to accelerate the energy
transition in the German building system
 Increase support for (selected) renewable heat technologies and insulation
materials – especially heat pumps.
 Shut down support for fossil fuel heating technologies such as gas boilers.
 Create a wide web of local energy agencies that can facilitate horizontal
knowledge exchange.
 Support continued education for installers – at scale.

13. 13

14. 14
Short Bio
 Researcher at NTNU, Norway
 Consultant for digital science communication
 Host of Science Communication Accelerator Podcast
 Co-host of enPower Podcast (enPower-podcast.de)
 Co-initiator of the NESTwebinar series
julius.wesche@ntnu.no