Renewable energy innovation

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and renewable energy innovation

Technologies such as off-grid solar, battery storage, e-mobility and digital tools can help expand access to clean energy. Yet, progress is still too slow. Hundreds of millions of people still lack access to electricity or clean cooking in their homes. At the same time, funding for innovation in energy access in low- and middle-income countries is getting harder to get. 

New technology alone cannot solve this challenge. To deliver lasting results, technology must work alongside simple business models, fair financing and government rules. This support helps energy access businesses grow. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in partner countries know their markets best. We help these businesses adapt clean-energy ideas to their customer's daily needs. We also help them test flexible loans and build commercial partnerships. 

We supported over 20 innovation projects in Africa and Asia through programmes like Energising Development (EnDev) and Strengthening the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for Clean Cooking (SEE-Clean Cooking). For low- and middle-income countries, we also link to non-energy programmes, such as Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR). 

Over the years, we have brought together companies, banks and governments to raise awareness of what the sector needs. We have supported innovations, shared solutions and helped public and private partners to work together to develop innovations that improve inclusive energy access.

Renewable energy innovation results

Our partnerships have achieved the following accomplishments: 

• Scaling innovation across markets: We supported small energy companies in Africa and Asia in piloting new sales plans, technical products, flexible loans and innovative approaches to customer needs. This work reached over 20 projects.
• Expanding access to e-cooking: We partnered with power utilities, regulators and governments in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Bangladesh and Uganda. The aim was to grow the e-cooking market. Special tariffs, targeted subsidies and improved supply chains lowered power costs for electric cooking.
• Integrating energy and agriculture: We tested solar power, digital tools and smart sensors in agriculture. These innovations helped farm businesses process crops more efficiently, cut diesel costs and protect food supplies.
• Adapting business models to local markets: We supported businesses in partner countries in tailoring promising solutions to fit local conditions. 
• Facilitating cross-country learning: We hosted workshops on digital finance, electric cooking tariffs and business models. These sessions helped power utilities, regulators and governments learn from each other. 

Lessons on renewable energy innovation

We have tested and scaled energy innovations, and our experience results in the following 5 lessons:

1. Innovate business models, financing solutions and technology: Smart business plans, flexible financial products and strong partnerships are as important as hardware. Adapting existing solutions to markets and needs often works better than introducing completely new technologies. 
2. Plan for sustainable growth from the start: Innovations work best when they are designed for long-term commercial success. Involving companies, banks and governments early on helps ensure project sustainability.
3. Combine renewable energy and digital innovations with farming and food production: This can improve processing, protect agribusinesses from high fuel prices, raise farm outputs and support better nutrition and food security. 
4. Organise structured learning across regions: Share knowledge on themes such as e-cooking tariffs, digital financial tools and inclusive business models. Workshops on these topics can help power utilities, regulators and governments create better policies to improve access to energy. 
5. Get the policies right: For innovations to have the greatest impact, enabling policies are essential to stimulate innovations that meet social goals.

Information materials

Read the information materials below to find out more about renewable energy innovation.