Ayrton Challenge: Energy Storage

Clean Energy Access for Remote Pacific Island Countries – CLEARPICs
https://www.spc.int/ spc@spc.int
Summary

In Countries and Territories (PICTs) in the indo-Pacific access to electricity has increased from 31% of households on average in 2010 to 55% in 2018. Three of the largest and most populous PICTs, however, have the poorest electrification rates (by household) – Papua New Guinea (PNG) (47%), Solomon Islands (57%), and Vanuatu (64%). A mixed energy approach that continues to support the increasing demand for access to energy with the inclusion of some of the most remote and rural communities across the Pacific is critical towards achieving SDG7 and a shift away from fossil fuels to meet the countries Nationally Determined Contributions. Universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services is articulated in SDG 7, hence supporting remote and island-based communities to access energy and catalysing business opportunities will be transformative.

Existing hurdles and risks are high for private companies doing mini-grid projects in the PICTs. The remote nature of the islands and harsh marine environment poses challenges of accessibility and lack of economies of scale. Such unfavourable conditions result in a high cost and risk which prevents private companies from engaging. As a result, there has been a vacuum of responsibility for the sustainable operation of mini-grid projects, which in turn results in unsatisfactory performance and unfulfilled socio-economic benefits of mini-grid projects.

This new project is to support energy access across PICTs through research into technology applicability, scale and governance within case study countries by undertaking geographically specific research into opportunities for off-grid energy deployment within PICTs countries. The project includes five work packages with some delivered across all PICTs whereas others will be undertaken on a selection. The three PICTs that have the poorest electrification rates (PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu) will be covered by specific tailored activities along with other PICTs that have made more energy access progress to help further progress pioneer markets and act as a reference case, such as Fiji.

The International Energy Storage Challenge
faraday.ac.uk/research https://www.faraday.ac.uk/contact-us/
Summary

The International Energy Storage Challenge, led by the Faraday Institution, accelerates the delivery of disruptive battery technologies to provide reliable and sustainable energy in developing and emerging economies with on-grid, significant off-grid, and weak grid populations. This is delivered through a research and development programme to reduce the cost and improve the performance of battery energy storage systems (BESS) technologies for use in developing country contexts. This Challenge is led by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform

Clean Energy Innovation Facility (CEIF)
devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/projects AyrtonFund@beis.gov.uk
Summary

Clean Energy Innovation Facility (CEIF) is a programme funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) that aims to accelerate the commercialisation of innovative clean energy technologies in developing countries in key themes. The existing CEIF 1.0 programme under the platform focuses on industrial decarbonisation, sustainable cooling, smart energy, and energy storage.

Zero Emissions Generator Accelerator (ZE-Gen)
www.ze-gen.org ze-gen@carbontrust.com
Summary

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)
tea.carbontrust.com tea@carbontrust.com
Summary

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’.

Humanitarian Grand Challenge Fund
humanitariangrandchallenge.org info@humanitariangrandchallenge.org
Summary

A Multi Donor innovation challenge fund that focuses on innovations in humanitarian contexts caused by conflict. This includes research and development into adaptation and adoption of new clean energy technologies such as sustainable energy solutions though solar mini-grids, clean cooking, solar powered health services, and innovative financing mechanisms, in countries affected by conflict or displacement. This programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Africa Regional Climate and Nature (ARCAN) Programme
devtracker.fcdo.gov.uk/projects matthew.rees@fcdo.gov.uk
Summary

Announced at COP26 in Glasgow, this regional programme supports the World Bank’s Sustainable Renewables Risk Mitigation Initiative (SMRI) to demonstrate renewable energy technologies with storage at scale, and the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) to support clean generation capacity by pairing battery storage alongside solar, wind, and other technologies, and support smart grid systems and clean cooking. This programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP)
esmap.org esmap@worldbank.org
Summary

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.

Ideas to Impact (I2)
www.frontiertechhub.org ftlenquiries@dt-global.com
Summary

Programme focused on the development, testing, and deployment of methodologies that encourage innovation and use of technologies to address development challenges, including in the clean energy access sector. This programme is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Catalysing Agriculture by Scaling Energy Ecosystems (CASEE)
shellfoundation.org/strategic-partnerships https://shellfoundation.org/contact/
Summary

Support to innovative energy and agricultural technology businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia via the Shell Foundation Catalysing Agriculture by Scaling Energy Ecosystems (CASEE) project, strengthening energy, agriculture, and food systems, and boosting the productivity, income, and resilience of smallholder farmers. This project is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).