Environmental changes and related public policies require an energy-focused sustainable industrial transformation (SIT) that reconciles economic, environmental, and social objectives. Local energy clusters are conducive to these transformative processes, since they represent institutional structures that link key actors and factors in territorial communities to form niches for the green transition. However, SIT policies at the local level are in a nascent stage, and empirical evidence on these processes remains scarce. Furthermore, it is necessary to advance a conceptual background for SIT and identify the development conditions for territorial energy communities. In response to these theory- and policy-related challenges, this monograph aims to conceptualize the role of energy cluster policies in SIT using an institutional approach, as well as to identify the progress of the energy cluster policies and the development stages, drivers and obstacles of local energy clusters. The author’s empirical basis will be Polish energy clusters analyzed against international policies and experience in territorial energy communities.

This book provides unique value by developing an institutional analytical framework for energy cluster policies, identifying the conditions for the development of energy clusters, and proposing actionable policy recommendations in this area.

Marta Gancarczyk is Full Professor and Head of the Department of Finance and International Economics at the Institute of Economics, Finance and Management, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. She holds her Ph.D. in Management Science from the University of Lodz, Poland, the Habilituated Ph.D. in Economics from Cracow University of Economics, Poland, and the Professor’s title based on the recommendation from the Polish Council of Excellence.

Joanna Bohatkiewicz-Czaicka is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Economics, Finance and Management, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. She holds her Ph.D. in Economics and Finance from the Jagiellonian University, MA in Management and Economic Consultancy, and BA in Business Administration.

Jacek Gancarczyk is an Adjunct Professor at the Institute of Entrepreneurship, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. His research and publication activities are focused on innovative ventures, entrepreneurship, industrial clusters, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Damian Tomczyk is a Ph.D. student in Economics and Finance, the Doctoral School in the Social Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Krakow. He holds Master's degree in Economics at the Institute of Economics, Finance, and Management, Jagiellonian University in Krakow. His research activities focus on ecological economics, in particular, on the energy industry and renewable energy sources.