Energy Technology R&D Needs of Emerging Economies

Background

Under the auspices of the IEA, the Experts’ Group on R&D Priority-Setting and Evaluation (EGRD), and in cooperation with the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, this international workshop assesses the clean energy technology R&D needs of emerging economies. While many such needs may be well aligned with those of fully developed economies, there are unique situations regarding stage of development, modes of economic development, endowments of natural resources, quality of fuels, characterisation of demographics and urbanisation, cultural aspects of energy use, and other country-specific circumstances.

It is likely that some of the needs for energy R&D of these economies differ in significant and unique ways. This workshop explored the drivers underlying energy demand in these economies, assessing clean energy technology needs, gathering insights on R&D investment priorities, discussing modalities for international science and technology cooperation, and summarised implications for both IEA and non-member country R&D portfolio planners and technology investors.

The workshop focussed on the economic regions and markets of Asia; other regions may be addressed in future meetings in line with the IEA Global Engagement Strategy. The agenda brought forth a variety of viewpoints, including those from emerging economies, OECD countries in the region, business and economic development sectors knowledgeable of the region’s energy technology needs, and scientists and technologists with expertise in innovation of setting specific to the region.

The EGRD workshop aimed to achieve the following outcomes:

• Identify clean energy technology needs and R&D gaps and opportunities of emerging economies
• Identify drivers underlying energy demand in these countries and regions
• Characterize desired future energy systems, noting common and distinctive features
• Form insights on R&D investment priorities of emerging economies, individually, collectively
• Explore existing and preferred “modalities” for enhanced international S&T cooperation
• List implications for future IEA Member and partner country R&D portfolio planners

These outcomes and key messages emerging from the discussion will be summarised in a report of the proceedings.

Programme

Summary Report

Proceedings:

Opening Remarks
Zheng Fangneng, Director, Division of Energy, Dept. of High-Tech. Development and Industrialization, MOST, PR of China

Rob Kool, EGRD Chair, NL Agency, Netherlands

GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES ON EXISTING CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY R&D INVESTMENTS AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF EMERGING ECONOMIES

The Importance of Meeting Clean Energy R&D Needs of Emerging Economies
Peter Cunz, Swiss Federal Office of Energy, Chair, IEA Committee on Energy Research and Technology

A Comparative Analysis of Clean Energy Technology Contexts and Challenges in the Region
Robert Marlay, EGRD Vice Chair, United States

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CLEAN ENERGY R&D
Moderators:
1st session: Robert Marlay, EGRD Vice Chair, United States

China
Zheng Fangneng, Director, Division of High and New Technology Development and Industrialization, MOST

Thailand
Dr. Twarath, Deputy Director-General, Department of Energy Development and Efficiency, Ministry of Energy, Thailand

Indonesia
Verina J. Wargadalam, Senior Researcher, New & Renewable Energy Technology, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Indonesia

2nd session: Ruisheng Yue, Secretary General, International Solid State Lighting (SSL) Alliance, PR of China

Malaysia
Azhar Omar, Senior Director, Electricity Markets and Supply Regulation, Energy Commission, Malaysia

India
Ambuj Sagar, Dean, Alumni Affairs & International Programmes, Indian Institute of Technology, India

Singapore
Zhen-hui Eng, Deputy Director, Policy and Planning, Energy Planning and Development Division, Energy Management Authority, Singapore

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES: SELECTED OECD COUNTRIES
Moderator: Ludwig Vandermaelen, Attaché International Relations, FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-employed and Energy, Belgium

Panel Discussion
John Soderbaum, Director, Science and Technology, ACIL Tasman, Australia
Eiichi Homma, Director General, International Projects, International Affairs Department, New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, Japan
Seungyoung Chung, Senior Researcher, Korea Institute of Energy Technology, Evaluation and Planning, Korea

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES: INVESTORS
Moderator: Herbert Greisberger, Managing Director, Lower Austrian Energy and Environment Agency, Austria

Panel Discussion
Justin Wu, Head, Wind Industry Research, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
Levien J. de Legé, Managing Director, ECN Asia
David Hathaway, Vice President, China Operations, ICF International
Weigang (Greg) Ye, Founding Managing Partner, Delta Capital

REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES: SELECTED ORGANISATIONS
Moderator: Fu Yuan, Executive Secretary, International SSL Alliance

Technology Perspectives on Clean Energy R&D Needs of Emerging Economies
Jayant Sathaye, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

Innovation and Clean Energy R&D Needs of Emerging Economies
Ambuj Sagar, Dean, Alumni Affairs & International Programmes, Indian Institute of Technology

Integrated Approaches to Energy Efficiency Technologies in China
He Ping, Programme Director, Industry, China Sustainable Energy Program, PR of China

The Practice of Solid State Lighting & Renewable Energy in Emerging Economies
Fu Yuan, Executive Secretary, International SSL Alliance

Overview and Outlook of China’s Agricultural Bioenergy Development
Zhao Lixin, Director, Institute of Energy and Environmental Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Engineering, Ministry of Agriculture, PR of China

KEY QUESTIONS
Moderator: Birte Holst-Jorgensen, Deputy Director, Management Engineering, Danish Technical University, Denmark

Discussion

• What is the general economic mix and outlook for your country or region?  Please include: appropriate natural resource endowments, export and import balances, grid capacity, etc.?
• What are the salient features of your energy situation and long-term energy strategy?
• What are the most important energy-related environmental concerns?
• Do you have distinct urban and rural energy planning or infrastructure needs?
• What role do you envision for innovation and advanced technology to help you meet your energy, economic, and environmental goals?
• What do you see as key R&D gaps and opportunities, and investment priorities? 
• What model do you prefer for cooperative R&D with other countries?

KEY MESSAGES FOR THE SYNTHESIS REPORT

CONCLUSIONS

Rob Kool, EGRD Chair