Innovation

A critical driver of clean energy transitions

Through research, investments and collaboration, a wide variety of energy fields are being reshaped by technology improvements, reducing costs, increasing efficiencies and boosting deployment. Effective policies are needed to support the best ideas from lab to market.

Key findings

Spending on energy R&D by national governments and the European Union, 2014-2019

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Most Government energy R&D spending in 2019 was directed to low-carbon energy technologies

Government energy R&D spending grew by 3% in 2019, with robust expansion in Europe and the United States alongside steady spending in China as the 13th Five Year Plan nears its end. At 80%, more public energy R&D went to low-carbon technologies in 2019 than the prior year, but the near-term outlook depends on the inclusion of clean energy R&D in recovery measures

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Our work on innovation

The energy sector has a long history of disruptive innovation leading to sweeping changes in energy markets, mobility and society at large. Governments are increasingly looking to guide and accelerate the development of technologies for energy transitions and competitive advantage in a changing energy system. The IEA works with policy and decision makers around the world to track public and private research, development and demonstration (RD&D), share good policy practice and promote multilateral collaboration.

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