What is the TRL?
In the IEA's Innovation Gaps framework, each innovation gap signifies an innovation challenge that must be overcome to achieve the necessary level of performance or deployment of a technology in order to meet the objectives of the Sustainable Development Scenario.
For each innovation gap, existing solutions and their readiness are identified along an extended Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale, ranging from the concept stage to scaling up the technology solution. The activities underway to advance these solutions and bridge the gaps, as well as the leading entities such as governments, companies, and research institutes involved in these efforts, are then outlined.
Finally, an assessment is made of what needs to be accomplished by governments, the energy industry, and other stakeholders to seize these opportunities, both in the short-term and the long-term.
- Initial idea: basic principles have been defined
- Application formulated: concept and application of solution have been formulated
- Concept needs validation: solution needs to be prototyped and applied
- Early prototype: prototype proven in test conditions
- Large prototype: components proven in conditions to be deployed
- Full prototype at scale: prototype proven at scale in conditions to be deployed
- Pre-commercial demonstration: solution working in expected conditions
- First-of-a-kind commercial: commercial demonstration, full-scale deployment in final form
- Commercial operation in relevant environment: solution is commercially available, needs evolutionary improvement to stay competitive
- Integration at scale: solution is commercial but needs further integration efforts
- Proof of stability: predictable growth
These reports offer a comprehensive view of the progress and readiness of diverse technologies within the AFC TCP's portfolio.
