The Accelerate-to-Demonstrate (A2D) facility is part of the wider Clean Energy Innovation Facility (CEIF) funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) , and also aims to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies in developing countries with a focus on critical minerals, clean hydrogen and cross-cutting themes such smart energy and industrial decarbonisation.
Climate Compatible Growth (CCG) is a research platform funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) which is helping countries in the Global South to take a path of low carbon development while simultaneously unlocking profitable investment in green infrastructure. The platform is also helping to open up new markets and supporting delivery of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CCG develops evidence and global public goods to help countries develop and implement economic strategies, plans, and policies to attract investment into low-carbon growth opportunities across multiple sectors. Much of its work is currently focused on grid-scale energy and clean transport. CCG builds partnerships in key countries (including Zambia, Kenya, India, Lao, Vietnam and Ghana), supporting them with a consortium of world-class UK and international researchers to build the evidence, tools and decision support frameworks needed to leverage a shift to clean investments.
The Zero Emissions Generator Accelerator (ZE-Gen) was launched at COP27 in November 2022. It aims to enable the replacement of millions of polluting and expensive fossil-fuelled generators by accelerating the transition to renewable energy-based alternatives. ZE-Gen will focus on innovation, finance and investment, market intelligence, and ecosystem building to bring stakeholders together from across relevant sectors to accelerate the phase out of fossil fuelled generators. ZE-Gen is led by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform.
Transforming Energy Access (TEA) is the flagship Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) research and innovation platform supporting early-stage testing and scale-up of innovative technologies and business models that accelerate access to affordable, clean and modern energy, enabling sustainable, and inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Indo-Pacific region. This includes clean energy supply technologies (e.g. next generation solar), super-efficient demand solutions (e.g. efficient appliances, sustainable cooling, modern cooking) and smart delivery solutions (e.g. energy storage, green grids, hydrogen). It targets people and enterprises who have no or limited access to clean, modern energy services and limited opportunities to participate in, or benefit from, the energy sector through employment and income generation opportunities. TEA leads on several Ayrton Challenges including ‘Next Generation Solar’, ‘Zero Emissions Generators’, ‘Energy Storage’, ‘Clean Hydrogen’, ‘Inclusive Energy and Leave No One Behind’, ‘Sustainable Cooling for All’ and ‘Energy Efficiency’ (via the LEIA programme), and supports ‘Clean Transport’ and ‘Smart Energy Systems’.
The Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) is led by the World Bank and aims to support activities within the energy access sector globally by delivering critical international market data and sector tracking products, on a cost-sharing basis with multiple donor bilateral and philanthropic partners. ESMAP tools include the SDG 7 Tracking Framework, the Multi-Tier Framework for Energy Access, the Regulatory Index for Sustainable Energy (RISE), and the Global Electrification Platform. ESMAP develops and maintains specialised energy datasets and analysis relevant across the Ayrton Fund’s scope. ESMAP also delivers training and advice to World Bank Task Team Leaders and client Governments on emerging energy technologies and related policies, and capacity building for national statistical offices in monitoring and tracking SDG 7.1.1 and 7.1.2 indicators. ESMAP is supported by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform and the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme.
The International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) is designed to enable potential and foster prosperity. It will support UK researchers and innovators to work with international partners on some of the most pressing themes of our time. ISPF will give researchers and innovators access to global talent, large-scale facilities, research ecosystems and markets to swiftly move forward ideas to greater maturity, applicability, and commercialisation. It will stimulate research impact in line with the UK’s ambition to become a global science and tech superpower. This programme is funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
ISPF funding opportunities are published on individual ISPF partner websites (available in the link above) and target regions vary from partner to partner.
Five-year regional programme focused on priority countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) that includes a £50m contribution to the High Impact Partnership for Climate Action (HIPCA) – managed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) with an estimate of at least £25m for clean energy innovation/demonstration. The objective of HIPCA is to unleash investments and solutions that reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen resilience, including through clean energy innovations. This programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Programme designed to build Ukrainian resilience to external threats to its energy security and lay the groundwork for a cleaner, more independent energy sector post-war. It includes a £16 million Energy Security Innovation Challenge Fund that will take forward UK-led innovations and proposals for applied research that can modernise Ukraine’s energy sector, launched in June 2023. This programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Follow the link provided to keep updated regarding future open funding windows.
The Transforming Energy Access Learning Partnership (TEA-LP) is a partnership of universities committed to delivering professional graduates ready to drive the transition to sustainable energy access for all. TEA-LP provides courses for local current and future professionals in the energy access sector and aims to build on its network of 30 higher education institutions in 18 countries across Africa and the Indo-Pacific and make linkages to other energy access organisations and the private sector. It is also provides continuous professional development (CPD) courses (including a dedicated ‘Future Female Leaders in Energy’ course). TEA-LP also seeks to strengthen ‘South-South’ academic networks for energy access. This initiative is delivered under the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform by the University of Cape Town.
Future Female Leaders in Energy Programme is specifically tailored to equip young women in entry level roles in the energy access sector with the skills they need to be future senior leaders. The programme combines online courses and experiential workshops to equip participants with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to thrive in this rapidly growing sector. It is part of the Energy Access Talent Initiative (EATI) and delivered by the African Management Institute and University of Cape Town with support from the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform.