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.
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.
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.
Market Mechanisms for Communities Living in Extreme Poverty (MM-EP) is a research project that aims to fill an information gap by understanding who and where those who live extreme poverty (living on less than $2.15 per day) are, and what their energy needs and challenges are. The project will review market-based mechanisms (e.g. PAYGo/hire purchase business models) that currently operate in the energy access sector and understand which mechanisms best serve communities living in extreme poverty. The overarching objective is to provide high quality research to support future decision making. MM-EP is led by Practical Action and supported by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform.
The Transforming Humanitarian Energy Access (THEA) programme aims to ensure that no one is left behind in displacement settings in the transition to sustainable energy solutions. THEA is led by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and is supported by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform. It seeks to support inclusive and transformative investments in sustainable energy throughout the humanitarian sector and to mainstream investments in humanitarian contexts through collaborations with TEA partners. Furthermore, THEA aims to enable the UN system and humanitarian partners to deliver sustainable energy access in displacement settings using more inclusive practices.
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 Mini-Grid Funders Group (MGF) consists of ~30 sector funders and financiers (representing a total committed investment of around $1.8bn into mini grids globally) coordinating efforts and sharing lessons. The MGF is chaired by the World Bank, African Development Bank, and FCDO, with the Carbon Trust (through the Transforming Energy Access platform) acting as the Secretariat. The group’s objective is to deploy committed funding quickly and effectively to deliver clean energy access to as many unserved communities as possible via clean energy-based mini-grid electrification.
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.
Energy Catalyst, led by Innovate UK, is a well-established open call grant funding programme that runs in regular tranches to support innovators to develop new technologies and business models that can improve lives in Africa and Asia. Energy Catalyst accelerates the innovation needed to end energy poverty through both financial and advisory (incubation) support, and by building strategic partnerships and uncovering new insights. Energy Catalyst is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) through the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
The Pioneer Energy Investing Initiative: Powering Livelihoods Using Solar (known as PEII+) is a multi-million dollar, 5-year initiative led by Acumen and supported by the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform. PEII+ invests early-stage capital in enterprises that provide renewable energy-powered productive use of energy (PUE) solutions. PEII+ also provides post-investment support in the form of impact measurement and technical assistance (TA) grants. Local entrepreneur accelerators also supports locally-led enterprises in India and East Africa, as well as insight and thought leadership, drawing key lessons for deploying new investment vehicles.