Scientific research and technological innovation are fundamental drivers of long-term economic development. Research generates new knowledge and technologies that serve as a foundation for innovation. These innovations, in turn, enable countries and entrepreneurs to develop more efficient solutions, enhance productivity, improve competitiveness, and support sustainable growth. Science and innovation function as both drivers and beneficiaries of economic growth. Strategic investments in research systems, particularly in higher education and technological development, are essential to unlocking long-term prosperity and national competitiveness.

Research impact can manifest in economic, social, environmental, political, or cultural forms, and operate across multiple levels—from local communities to global policy frameworks. The research impact evaluation plays a significant role in understanding the sustainable development of countries, enterprises and individuals. Different methodologies and approaches are used to identify and classify research impact from economic, environmental, academic, social, policy, development and other aspects.

Research institutes play a critical role in advancing science, shaping policy, and driving innovation, yet their broader societal and systemic impacts remain complex to quantify. This paper presents a multidimensional assessment of a particular research institute, focusing on its contributions to scientific excellence, technological innovation, policy influence, and societal transformation in the context of sustainable energy and environmental systems. The global drive toward sustainable development, coupled with the urgent need to address climate change, has spurred significant investment in research and innovation—especially in energy systems and environmental technologies. The findings indicate that the institute has significantly contributed to advancements in low-carbon technologies, energy system modelling, and life cycle assessment, while also influencing municipal and national energy strategies through research-based policy support.

This paper critically examines academic and policy-oriented literature concerning the economic impact of research institutes, with a particular focus on energy systems and environmental innovation. The paper is structured around three core thematic areas:
- Economic impact of research and innovation, exploring the role of research institutes in driving economic development;
- Research institutes in the context of energy and environmental transitions, investigating how research centres contribute to technological innovation and policy formation;
- Methodologies for assessing economic impact, reviewing methods used to evaluate the contributions of research organisations and innovation ecosystems.

An interdisciplinary approach is adopted, drawing on the fields of innovation economics, regional development theory, and science and technology studies with particular attention to literature relevant to small and medium-sized economies, especially within the European Union, as well as case studies examining the institutional impact of research in post-Soviet or transitional economies, such as Latvia, providing the groundwork for the methodology and ensuring that the research is grounded in both theoretical insights and current academic debates.

Keywords: Research impact, indicators, criteria, evaluation methodologies, experimental data, statistical analysis.