Advancing Clean Technology Manufacturing

Advancing Clean Technology Manufacturing

Executive Summary

Governments and firms worldwide are accelerating efforts to integrate clean energy technologies into their economies. This Energy Technology Perspectives Special Report aims to provide policymakers with an analytical framework to design and evaluate strategies for clean technology manufacturing. The report acknowledges that there is no one-size-fits-all approach and outlines guiding principles to inform future planning.

Part I: Clean Technology Manufacturing Today

Chapter 1: An Introduction to Clean Technology Manufacturing

• Clean Technology Manufacturing in Context: The report provides an overview of the current landscape of clean technology manufacturing.
• Tracking Progress: It highlights key metrics and indicators used to track progress in clean technology manufacturing.

Chapter 2: The New Clean Energy Economy is Emerging

• Project Pipeline Expansion: The report discusses how the pipeline of clean energy projects continues to grow.
• Rapid Progress: Despite uneven progress, significant advancements are being made in various sectors.

Part II: Advancing Clean Technology Manufacturing

Chapter 3: Cost Fundamentals of Clean Technology Manufacturing

• Levelized Cost of Manufacturing: The report analyzes the overall costs associated with manufacturing clean technologies.
• Upfront Costs: It details the initial expenses required for setting up manufacturing facilities.
• Operational Costs: The operational costs involved in running these facilities are discussed.
• Policy Incentives for Manufacturing: The role of government policies in supporting manufacturing is examined.

Chapter 4: The Role of Innovation in Advancing Clean Technology Manufacturing

• Link Between Energy Innovation and Manufacturing: The report highlights how innovations in energy technology are increasingly linked to manufacturing processes.
• Overcoming High Cost Factors: Innovation is seen as a key factor in maintaining competitiveness despite high costs.
• Policy Missions for Innovation: The importance of policy-driven missions to unlock new manufacturing opportunities is emphasized.
• Value of Technology Innovation: Beyond reducing costs, technology innovation is crucial for driving broader economic and environmental benefits.

Chapter 5: Policy Priorities for Advancing Clean Technology Manufacturing

• Enlarging Domestic Markets: The report suggests using climate policies to expand domestic markets.
• Compressing Lead Times: Efforts to reduce the time required to bring new technologies to market are highlighted.
• Booster Mechanisms: Various mechanisms to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies are discussed.

Acknowledgements

The report was prepared by the Energy Technology Policy (ETP) Division of the International Energy Agency (IEA). Key contributors include Timur Gül, Araceli Fernández Pales, and a team of lead authors and other experts. The work benefited from valuable insights and feedback from numerous government officials, experts, and organizations. Financial support was provided by the Government of Japan, and the report draws on strategic guidance from high-level dialogues and workshops.

This comprehensive analysis aims to support policymakers in designing effective strategies to advance clean technology manufacturing, ensuring reliability, affordability, and sustainability in the energy sector.