Webinar on Innovation Policy Frameworks for Renewable Energy Deployment
International experts on innovation policy, including representatives of multilateral development banks, non-governmental organizations, and private sector firms, connected in a web-based seminar on 7 December on policy framework development for renewable energy innovation. The webinar, “Innovation Policy Frameworks for Renewable Energy Deployment”, was organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to highlight the key criteria for successful innovation policies and practical steps for implementation at country level. A paper by the US-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and IRENA provided the basis for discussion.
While innovation is essential for accelerating the deployment of renewable energy technologies, policy requirements vary based on specific technologies as well as country strategies and capabilities. Coordination, both nationally and internationally, is essential for success with renewable energy innovation policies, webinar participants agreed. The webinar also covered policy instruments, governance and various definitions of renewable energy technology innovation, in addition to IRENA’s role in supporting member countries with innovation policy development.
Coordination within and among countries was emphasised as one of the success factors of renewable energy innovation policy. There was a general consensus that further assessment is necessary to make innovation policies and strategies for renewable energy more practical for implementation at country level.
Innovation policy framework for renewable energy technologies
Mackay Miller, NREL
Case study on a successful innovation policy framework
Ivan Haščič, OECD
Practical strategies for policy development and implementation at the country level
Roland Roesch, IRENA