20150630-IRENA-RD_amp_D_for_Renewable_Energy_Technologies_Cooperation_in_Latin_America_and_the_Caribbean_80页_2mb

Summary of Cooperation in RD&D for Renewable Energy Technologies in Latin America and the Caribbean

Introduction

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has diverse energy landscapes and resources, presenting varied challenges and opportunities for renewable energy (RE) deployment. IRENA promotes sustainable RE technologies to meet energy, access, security, and growth needs while avoiding fossil fuel dependency. The region requires enhanced RD&D cooperation to bridge innovation gaps and address challenges like low R&D expenditure, insufficient coordination, and barriers to commercialization.

Innovation Systems and RD&D Role

RE innovation requires integrated RD&D efforts across research, development, demonstration, market development, and commercial diffusion. Successful strategies include cluster cooperation (Denmark), open innovation, and effective knowledge transfer (China). Latin America needs tailored policies like the RET Innovation Policy (RETIP) framework.

Case Studies of Cooperation Strategies

1. Cluster Cooperation: Denmark leveraged collective knowledge sharing for early wind turbine development.
2. Technology Transfer: China combined licensing with joint development to build local capacity.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: Malawi used government incentives to scale bioethanol technology.

Overview of Ongoing Cooperation Initiatives

IRENA assessed LAC RD&D efforts and identified key initiatives like REGSA, ProChile, and EU-LAC JIRI, focusing on regional collaboration and policy alignment.

Identified Gaps in Innovation

• Human/Financial Capacity: Lack of technical expertise, financial constraints, and poor management.
• Strategic Focus: Insufficient alignment between national R&D and policy goals.
• Visibility/Legitimacy: Undervalued RETs in policy debates.
• Knowledge Diffusion: Poor information sharing and dissemination.
• Entrepreneurship: Inadequate support for market-driven innovation.
• Market Formation: Challenges in creating viable markets for RETs.

Recommendations to Reinforce Cooperation

National Level Actions

• Strengthen governance structures for innovation coordination.
• Enhance administrative processes for RD&D projects.
• Incentivize public-private partnerships and tailor incentive structures.

Regional Level Actions

• Create RD&D networks and update LAC roadmaps.
• Improve communication channels and visibility of initiatives.
• Foster human resource development and cross-country coordination.

Supra-Regional Actions

• Deepen European/LAC partnerships through mechanisms like ARPA-E inspired programs.
• Leverage multilateral initiatives (EU-LAC JIRI) for joint RD&D projects.
• Implement trust funds for mutual benefit among South-South countries.

IRENA highlights the central role of RD&D in accelerating LAC’s RE transition, emphasizing collaboration with other regions and strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem to overcome economic, institutional, and policy barriers.