REEEP: clean energy requires 3 types of innovation
Johannesburg, 15.03.2010 - REEEP International Secretariat
Three layers of innovation are critical to promoting clean technologies in an international context, noted Dr. Marianne Osterkorn, REEEP’s Director General in a statement given in Johannesburg on March 15th.
Firstly, technical innovation is vital in the fields of smart grid, concentrated solar power (CSP) and storage as well as in the development of off-grid technologies. A second major thrust for innovation is needed in the legislative and regulatory arena, where players on the generation side should be given flexibility and priority of access to the grid. And thirdly, the financing of clean energy requires solid risk management and more guarantee facilities.
She was speaking in a panel discussion at Clean Technology World Africa 2010, Africa’s only dedicated clean technology forum. The gathering of 2000 people brought together a cross-section of African energy CEOs to discuss many aspects of clean energy, ranging from new sources of efficient energy supply, new and anticipated regulations, and how to fund investment in low carbon technology.
During this South Africa trip, REEEP also held consultations with Eskom, the South African utility, and the Partnership was invited to give inputs to an Inter-Ministerial Task Force.