IEA: Energy Innovation Focuses on Security

• Solid-state air conditioning: Advanced thermal management technology representing a shift from traditional refrigerant-based systems • Perovskite solar cells: Next-generation photovoltaic technology with potential for higher efficiency and lower manufacturing costs compared to silicon-based cells • Sodium-ion batteries: Alternative battery chemistry addressing supply chain vulnerabilities of lithium-ion technology • Next-generation geothermal systems: Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) enabling energy extraction from previously inaccessible geological formations • Fusion energy: Continued advancement toward commercial viability as a clean energy source • Technology readiness level (TRL) upgrades: 50 emerging energy technologies advanced in maturity stages, indicating accelerated commercialization pathways

The shift toward security-driven energy innovation signals a fundamental reorientation of global energy policy, moving beyond climate and cost considerations to prioritize strategic autonomy and supply chain resilience. This creates competitive advantages for nations maintaining sustained R&D investment and early deployment capabilities. The multi-trillion-dollar market scale and patent concentration in energy technologies suggest energy innovation will increasingly influence geopolitical positioning and industrial competitiveness. Companies and nations investing in battery technologies, alternative chemistries, and domestic manufacturing capacity are positioned to capture disproportionate value. The emphasis on public-private partnerships and government support indicates that future energy technology leadership will depend on coordinated policy frameworks rather than market forces alone.