Clean energy technology innovation – particularly research, development and demonstration (RD&D) – plays a critical role in accelerating the global energy transition. As this transition progresses and ambitions grow, the need for strong government support for innovation grows alongside it. 

Government support mechanisms can include RD&D funding, market instruments, and policies that guide and encourage innovation activities. In this report, these are described as “inputs” into the innovation process. The purpose of these inputs is to lead to outputs (i.e. new or improved technologies, processes and systems) and ultimately outcomes (i.e. positive changes in energy systems). Linking these innovation inputs to the progress of clean energy technology innovation and understanding their impacts can, however, be challenging. 

This report is an initial output of two interlinked projects focused on tracking innovation impacts: first, the Innovation Impacts Dashboard (IID) project – funded by the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – and second, the Tracking Energy Innovation Impacts Framework (TEIIF) project, funded by the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Union (EU). Both projects have contributed to the work discussed here. Those projects both also contribute to the Mission Innovation Tracking Progress workstream.