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The State of Energy Innovation 2026
The second edition of The State of Energy Innovation turns the spotlight on the technologies, policies and funders at the forefront of energy technology development. It provides a comprehensive assessment of recent progress and emerging challenges in energy technology innovation, drawing on over 150 innovation highlights from 2025 and a survey of practitioners across more than 40 countries. It analyses trends in public and corporate R&D spending, venture capital flows, patenting and policy, as well as providing an update on progress towards the 18 IEA Races to First in energy innovation. This data-driven approach informs policy makers, industry…
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Renewables in District Energy
This report examines how renewables can play a larger role in district energy systems, helping to deliver cleaner, more secure and more efficient heating and cooling. District energy networks already supply heat to around 600 million people worldwide, but many systems remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, exposing consumers and utilities to price volatility, supply risks and high emissions.The report provides a global overview of district energy systems, their fuel mixes, market conditions, governance models and affordability implications. It explores the growing opportunities offered by renewable and recovered heat sources, including bioenergy, geothermal, solar thermal, waste heat, large-scale heat…
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Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane
A global geospatial assessment Biogases play an important and growing role in energy systems. Produced locally using organic waste, biogas and biomethane can contribute to energy security, waste management, emissions reductions and agricultural development.In recent years, demand for biomethane – also known as “renewable natural gas” – has grown rapidly in many countries, supported by dozens of new policies. As a low-emissions substitute for natural gas, the use of biomethane has been targeted across a wide range of sectors, including power, industry, transport and buildings. This report presents a first-of-its-kind global geographical analysis of the untapped potential…
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Battery Circularity
Innovation trends for a future source of critical materials This report provides new evidence on global innovation trends for technologies related to battery recycling. Based on the EPO’s unique and comprehensive worldwide patent databases and the IEA’s expert insights into the key issues for battery technologies, the report presents the very latest data as a guide to decision makers from the public and private sectors. It sheds light on the main locations of patenting, the leading patentors in the world and the technology categories receiving the most innovation attention.More than one in four cars sold globally in…
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National Climate Resilience Assessment for Algeria
Algeria’s energy system already faces significant disruption due to extreme weather events. Critical infrastructure has been impacted in recent years by flash floods, drought-induced wildfires and heatwaves. With the climate projected to warm more rapidly than the global average, these risks are likely to intensify. Proactive measures to enhance the resilience of Algeria’s energy system could offer substantial benefits.Algeria has experienced significant warming, averaging 0.49 °C per decade from 2000 to 2023 and exceeding the global average of 0.37 °C per decade. Temperatures are expected to rise further, reaching up to 5.6 °C above pre‑industrial levels…
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Integrating Variable Renewable Energy in Kenya
Key challenges and strategic priorities Building on its renewable energy success, Kenya is now focused on managing a secure and reliable electricity system. With nearly 90% of the generation mix derived from renewable sources and electricity access rising from 37% in 2013 to 79% in 2025, the country has established itself as a regional leader in energy development.Integrating Variable Renewable Energy in Kenya explores how Kenya can strengthen its power system amid rising shares of variable renewable energy (VRE). The report identifies Kenya’s system to be operating in Phase 3 of the IEA’s VRE integration framework, where…
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Best Practices and Insights to Expand Clean Energy Access and Adoption
This report was commissioned by the European Commission to serve as a technical repository of analysis and evidence-based practices in support of the Campaign on Sustainable Lifestyles, Fairness and Access to Clean Energy Technologies. The analysis presented draws on discussions and research shared during the Widening Participation in Clean Energy workshop held in Brussels, contributions presented at the official all-member meetings of the Campaign on Sustainable Lifestyles, and the IEA’s analytical work in areas such as people-centred clean energy transitions, affordability, energy efficiency and clean energy access.This work is organised into three chapters, each corresponding…
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Breakthrough Agenda Report 2026
Strengthening international collaboration to accelerate delivery Breakthrough Agenda Report 2026 Since its launch at COP 26, the Breakthrough Agenda has served as a framework for strengthening international collaboration across major emitting sectors. Participating countries have endorsed shared “Breakthrough” goals to make clean technologies and sustainable practices more affordable, accessible and attractive than their alternatives by 2030 across the power, road transport, hydrogen, steel, cement and buildings sectors.The Breakthrough Agenda establishes an annual cycle to track progress towards these goals, identify where stronger or more co‑ordinated international action is needed, and support collective efforts to accelerate deployment. Central to this process…
- Executive summary
- Hydrogen
- Road transport
- Steel
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+ 3 pages
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Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit
The Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit is an interactive online tool that has been updated and expanded ahead of the 11th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Montreal, Canada. It aims to support governments in designing and implementing effective energy efficiency measures by combining policies across three core pillars: regulation, information and incentives. It also features a wide range of case studies, offering practical insights into the successful implementation of energy efficiency policies across diverse national and sectoral contexts.The Toolkit builds on earlier IEA work to advance energy efficiency policy. In 2022, the IEA introduced Policy Packages for Energy…
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Delivering Sustainable Fuels
Pathways to 2035 Sustainable fuels – including liquid biofuels, biogases, low-emissions hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels – offer multiple benefits for the energy sector. They complement electrification and energy efficiency in energy transitions, and are particularly important for sectors that continue to be reliant on fuel-based solutions such as aviation, shipping, and parts of road transport and industry. Sustainable fuels can also enhance energy security, strengthen environmental sustainability and stimulate economic development, particularly in rural areas.If fully legislated and implemented, current and proposed national and international policies would put the use of sustainable liquid and gaseous fuels on a…
