Into transition space: destabilisation and incumbent agency in an accelerating energy transition

In my PhD-thesis I look at how existing actor constellations are changing because of the energy transition and how that again influences transition dynamics. Looking at discourse coalitions in national newspapers and in-depth study of three incumbent actors (Port of Rotterdam, Grid operator Alliander, and pension fund ABP), I find that these actors are repositioning, in terms of discourse, relations, institutions, resources and practices, thereby destabilising the coherence of the whole energy system and as such creating room for transformative change. I introduce the concept of 'transition space' for this phase of a transition when overall coherence and stability is lacking in a system, creating room for real change.