The State of Energy Innovation 2026
The second edition of The State of Energy Innovation turns the spotlight on the technologies, policies and funders at the forefront of energy technology development. It provides a comprehensive assessment of recent progress and emerging challenges in energy technology innovation, drawing on over 150 innovation highlights from 2025 and a survey of practitioners across more than 40 countries. It analyses trends in public and corporate R&D spending, venture capital flows, patenting and policy.
This data-driven approach informs policy makers, industry and other stakeholders on the state of energy innovation worldwide and the importance of sustaining innovation momentum over the long term.
The report finds that the context for energy innovation is tilting towards competitiveness and security. Many of the innovation-relevant policies launched in 2025 promote technological strength for economic competitiveness and energy security. The share of all patents that are related to energy is growing, and over 320 new energy start-ups raised their first funding in 2025. These are signals of an active ecosystem but innovators depend on a predictable funding and policy framework. The report shows that the value of spending on energy innovation can be seen in market outcomes, with public energy innovation support behind some recent, major steps forward in the energy sector. The report includes several timely policy recommendations and in-depth chapters on two dynamic fields, namely technologies to enhance electricity grid resilience and advance fusion energy.
