A Holistic Model for Measuring Sustainable Performance Generated by Innovative Projects: The ESCO Energy Transition Case

In recent years, our society has witnessed a number of paradigm shifts and transitions with potentially severe consequences for the economy and the world of work. Wicked problems and black swan events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the climate, energy and Ukrainian crisis, the supply chain disruptions triggered a growing attention for grand societal challenges. The latter requires novel holistic and systemic approaches, new models of innovation and adapted business models. In the quadruple—public and private—helix of government, higher education, business, and society, there is a growing attention for a multilevel perspective on sustainability transitions, anchored in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. Universities—through their core activities of education, research, regional stewardship, and community engagement—are well positioned to contribute to sustainability issues, as they seek solutions for grand societal challenges, such as (re)imagining the energy transition. Based on the above, a holistic approach for measuring sustainable performance generated by innovative projects in a (higher) education setting is outlined. In particular, this chapter presents an interpretive case study for the model of Energy Service Companies—the “ESCO energy transition case”.