International technology innovation to accelerate energy transitions: The case of the international energy agency technology collaboration programmes.

• The contribution of international technology innovation partnerships changes with transition stages. • Contributing to accelerating energy transitions requires that partnerships improve their cross-technology and cross-sectoral coordination. • This calls for a change in communication strategy to increase outreach to non-scientific audiences, including more multidisciplinary teams. • This also asks for organization of knowledge sharing activities that go beyond technical-hardware aspects to address the socio-technical system as a whole. • A broader geographical scope in country participation can contribute to fostering transitions globally, but it would need to happen on an equal-footing basis. International cooperation in technology innovation can help accelerate energy transitions globally. If they are to promote global systemic change, partnerships need to move beyond nurturing niches and increase their geographical reach. Moving beyond niches brings challenges for such international partnerships traditionally focused on technological-hardware innovation in advanced countries. Based on an analytical framework rooted in innovation and transition studies, this paper explores how international technology innovation partnerships can help accelerate transitions globally by conducting a unique empirical study of the almost five decades-old IEA Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs). Results suggest that well-established networks for knowledge diffusion, growing compatibility of activities with climate change mitigation goals, and increased global participation currently enable TCPs to contribute to the energy transition. Improving outreach to non-scientific audiences, knowledge diffusion beyond technical knowledge, and cross-sectoral coordination, as well as ensuring equal-footing participation of developing countries, remain challenges to be addressed, especially as the transition accelerates. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]