By Simon Bennett (Technology Analyst, International Energy Agency) According to the latest World Energy Investment report from the International Energy Agency, government energy R&D spending in 2019 grew by 3% to USD 30 billion in 2019, and was mostly directed to low-carbon energy technologies. While the growth rate in 2019 was below that of the […]
Year: 2020
Champions Corner: Myoungju Lee paving the way for zero-energy buildings
First Zero Energy Factory in Korea designed by MI Champion Myoungju Lee (left hand side) Photo by DongA.com Myoungju Lee is a Professor at the College of Architecture at Myongji University, where she is also the Director of the Zero Energy Architecture Center. Her work has focused on high efficiency building design and architecture, and […]
What is next for clean energy innovation? Understanding the impacts of COVID-19 on the innovation landscape and how governments are responding
By Arianna Griffa In the span of just a few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to many aspects of life across large parts of the world. The impacts on the society, the economy and the environment could be profound and long-lasting and could affect governments’ priorities and investment plans in clean energy […]
Three islands receive EU Prize for innovative renewable energy solutions
Photo by: Lilly M, licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0 The island of Bornholm is the first ever winner of the EU RESponsible Island Prize. The Danish island won the €500,000 cash prize in recognition for its innovative energy solutions and its contribution to a sustainable and climate-friendly Europe, the European Commission announced on 28 April. […]
Champions Corner: Hussam Khonkar supports Saudi Arabia’s impressive PV development
Hussam Khonkar is a researcher and faculty member at the Energy Research Institute of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology. He focusses on solar R&D, including photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverters, solar water desalination, as well as solar hydrogen production, solar for cooling and solar panel recycling. His interest in solar energy evolved in the […]
Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada announces 10 winning clean energy innovations at Globe 2020 Forum
The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, with Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada winners. Last month, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Seamus O’Regan, announced the 10 winners of the Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada (BESC) initiative — a first-of-its-kind public–private initiative in Canada aimed at accelerating the development of clean energy […]
Pathway towards the second phase of Mission Innovation
Mission Innovation (MI) member representatives met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1-3 February 2020. As the initiative enters its fifth year, this was a pivotal moment to look back on impact and progress to date, to discuss future trends and challenges in the global innovation landscape and to explore options for the future of MI […]
Second Mission Innovation Champions Programme now accepting applications
NEWS RELEASE 21 January 2020 – Mission Innovation (MI) has now opened the application process for the second MI Champions Programme. Through this Programme, MI aims to build a community of visionaries committed to the promise of clean energy research and development by activating and engaging a new generation of researchers, inventors and leaders. Mission Innovation […]
UK announces plan to double efforts in developing nations to boost clean energy innovation
The UK announced the Ayrton Fund at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York last September. This commitment begins in 2021, running until 2026, and will provide scientists and innovators with access to £1 billion of aid funding to research, develop and demonstrate technologies and business models that enable developing countries to transition towards […]
Innovation Challenges Face-to-Face Meetings (November 4-5, 2019)
The Honourable Harsh Vardhan, India’s Minister of Science and Technology, welcomed delegates. MI is working to accelerate the research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) of clean energy technologies through eight Innovation Challenges (ICs). The work of each IC is advanced by a voluntary coalition of MI members, under the leadership of country co-leads and with […]
