In this edition of the Mission Innovation (MI) newsletter, our MI Steering Committee Chair John Loughhead, shares an update on MI operations during the global COVID-19 pandemic. We also share a short summary about the Senior Official’s Gathering in Riyadh in February 2020, and speak to Hussam Khonkar about his experience being selected as Saudi Arabian MI Champion and his upcoming plans. Innovation Challenges 1 and 2 share an update, inviting members to take part in new and ongoing knowledge sharing activities.
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I wanted to take this opportunity to personally reach out to each of you to say I hope you all stay healthy and well during these challenging times, and to update you on how the MI Steering Committee and Secretariat are responding to the current circumstances that are affecting us all.
Our Steering Committee and Secretariat have been closely following the spread of COVID-19 and the impact it is having on member countries. By now, you will have received the news from Chile that they have made the difficult decision to cancel the Ministerials (MI-5 and CEM-11) in June. Additionally, UNFCCC delegates decided to postpone COP26 until some time in 2021. We of course fully understand and support these decisions given the challenging and uncertain times. Together with Chile, Saudi Arabia as hosts for MI-6, and the CEM Steering Committee we are currently exploring several options for re-arranging MI-5.
The last MI Steering Committee meeting, held on 23 March, agreed we should continue to progress work towards the launch of our second phase, but that given the uncertainties we should be flexible and adaptable in the circumstances. We anticipate holding a virtual Senior Officials’ Meeting at the beginning of May to review progress and to discuss the consequences of the postponement of COP26. The Secretariat are preparing options for consideration during that meeting. We are also in regular contact with CEM Steering Committee and Secretariat to ensure the interests of both MI and CEM are fully engaged.
We all understand the need to urgently focus on public health and economic issues, but we must not lose sight of our long-term clean energy goals. It has been said that the best innovation comes from a time of crisis. For example, economic stimulus packages being drawn up by governments offer an excellent opportunity to ensure that clean energy investments continue. Mission Innovation will ensure it has compelling and valuable proposals to include in those actions. We can all play a role in setting up bold, new innovation alliances, allowing us to define ambitious and inspirational goals for innovative clean energy solutions for our second phase.
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I look forward to our continued collaboration.
Stay safe and in good health,
John
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COVID-19 Responses that can inspire 1.5°C-compatible pathways
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Based on the work in Mission innovation’s Net-Zero Compatible Innovation Initiative a web portal www.covid-19-responses-climate.solutions has been launched to identify COVID-19 responses and systems thinking from around the world that can inspire 1.5°C-compatible pathways. More than 100 cases have already been identified by MI partners and will be uploaded by the end of April. RISE and Climate KIC have taken the lead to develop the platform in collaboration with interested MI members. Please contact Jay Hennessy if you have cases that you think should be included, or for more information.
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Pathway towards the second phase of Mission Innovation
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Mission Innovation (MI) member representatives met in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 1-3 February 2020. As the initiative enters its fifth year, this was a pivotal moment to look back on impact and progress to date, to discuss future trends and challenges in the global innovation landscape and to explore options for the future of MI Beyond 2020. Read more about the Senior Official’s Gathering here. |
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BESC announces 10 winning clean energy innovations
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Get to know the 10 winners of the Breakthrough Energy Solutions Canada (BESC) initiative — a first-of-its-kind public–private initiative in Canada aimed at accelerating the development of clean energy technologies with the potential to substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
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MI Innovation Challenges Updates
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IC1 (Smart Grids): Members of IC1 are developing the Smart Grids Innovation Accelerator (SGIA) Platform, an online portal that would greatly facilitate knowledge sharing in the field of smart grids. The SGIA Platform will consolidate a variety of resources related to smart grid technologies, including technical reports, videos, roadmaps, workshop proceedings, policy strategies, and relevant links to open data sources. In the lead up to MI-5, IC1 would like to collect +1500 documents for the platform. If you have resources that could be added to the SGIA platform, IC1 co-leads invite you to contact Enea Bionda via email, with a copy to Luciano Martini, Sanjay Bajpai and Yibo Wang.
IC2 (Off-grid Access to Electricity): IC2 co-leads are collecting success stories and ongoing initiatives related to off-grid access to electricity projects. These projects and stories will be compiled into a report and published online. IC2 co-leads would welcome submissions from MI countries that have developed (or are developing) off-grid R&D projects in recent years (2015-2020). If your country has example(s) that you would like to submit for this report, please contact: Dr. Vineet Saini.
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Champions Corner: Hussam Khonkar supports Saudi Arabia’s impressive PV development
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In the second issue of our Champions Corner, Hussam Khonkar told us about his experience being selected in the inaugural co-hort of MI Champions. He is a researcher and faculty member at the Energy Research Institute of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and focusses on solar R&D, including photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverters, solar water desalination, as well as solar hydrogen production, solar for cooling and solar panel recycling.
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Clean energy innovation headlines
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Reactions on COVID-19 and clean energy innovation:
- The WEF Net-Zero Challenge report examines the current state of global climate action by companies and governments, providing a clear way forward. Climate action is first and foremost an opportunity for countries and businesses to build a competitive advantage.
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20 April 2020
Webinar: Energy Solutions for Cities of the Future
In the framework of the “Energy Solutions for Cities of the Future” project, and under the umbrella of the Global Geothermal Alliance, IRENA is organising three webinars to increase knowledge of local and national policy-makers and key stakeholders on options and existing tools to facilitate fuel switch to renewable energy in district heating and cooling networks in cities.
22 April 2020
Webinar: How Cooling as a Service is set to revolutionize the cooling industry
Cooling accounts for 10% of global electricity consumption and demand is expected to triple by 2050. Given this context, innovative technical and financial solutions are required to ensure that cleaner and more efficient cooling solutions are adopted.
30 April 2020
Webinar: COVID-19 & Climate Change
Both the Covid-19 and indeed the different responses, have already had a significant impact on public services, financial markets, business operations and civil liberties. But with 2020 supposedly being the year in which we address the global climate crisis, what does this global health crisis mean for our fight against climate change?
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