Races to First in Energy Innovation
The state of play for 19 key technology milestones related to energy security, sustainability and economic benefit, several of which could be achieved by 2030.
Many large-scale, first-of-a-kind energy technology projects today have the potential to deliver greater energy security, sustainability and economic growth. But first, they need to overcome major hurdles, technological and otherwise.
To track, encourage and share progress towards scaling up important emerging energy technologies, the IEA has identified 19 demonstration milestones that different groups and companies are racing to achieve. In many cases, the projects are vying to meet these milestones with competing technologies, and so the races have been defined to be technology-neutral.
You can use the tool below to explore the state of play across different technology areas.
Each race passes through four phases:
Phase 1: Testing at a smaller scale or in different configuration
Phase 2: Raising funds and preparing for next phase
Phase 3: In construction and could meet criteria
Finish line: Meets criteria
These races were first identified in the IEA’s April 2025 report The State of Energy Innovation. This page will be periodically updated with the latest progress. As the first successful project to cross the finish line may not go on to develop a commercially successful product, the IEA will continue to track all top contenders – and over time, new races may be added to represent other key innovation priorities.
More information on individual technology designs can be found in the IEA’s ETP Clean Energy Technology Guide, which also covers earlier-stage technologies across a wider range of applications.