innovation for a low carbon future – the envisaged role of the technology innovation agency david...
TRANSCRIPT
Innovation for a low carbon future – The envisaged role of
The Technology Innovation Agency
David PhahoTechnology Innovation Agency
Presentation Outline
• Introduction to the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
• Innovation & Going Green: Challenges • Constituents of a Green Economy Strategy
• TIA Strategic Thrusts For a Green Economy• Q & A
Technology Innovation Agency
• The TIA Act [No 26 of 2008]: section 3• “The object of the Agency is to support the State
in:• stimulating and intensifying technological
innovation• in order to improve economic growth and the
quality of life of all South Africans• by supporting the development and exploitation of
technological innovations
Basic Applied Tech Develop Transfer & Proliferation
Publicly Funded Research Institutes
SpecialistResearch Funds
InternationalResearch Funds
TIA
Funding Agencies
VentureCapital
Publications/new knowledge Patents/new knowledge products
SME Develop.Agencies
Innovation & Going Green: Challenges
Government has other pressing, competing Priorities namely job creation & poverty reduction
In terms of Innovation, current energy efficient technologies are still expensive for most countries Very few countries prioritize “Environmentally benign” Technologies
Few will meet their Greenhouse Gas Emission Targets
Diversify renewable Energy options (biofuels, Solar, Wind, Nuclear e.t.c.)
Innovation (lightweight materials; environmentally friendly technologies)
Green Jobs in emerging areas such as Light Materials, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and new Building Technologies
Fuel Efficient Transportation Systems (e.g. battery powered cars)
“Weaning ourselves from fossil fuels specifically, oil & coal
Strategic Innovation Investments to reduce carbon footprint & GHG emissions in Manufacturing:
Advanced, Light Materials Research
Energy Efficient Transportation Systems
Cleaner Production Technologies Research
Biofuels through Biotechnology/Agro-processing
Exemplary Case Study(South Africa’s first Electric car)
Innovation Fund – Electric Vehicles
A relay race…
Start with AN IDEA ……. Initial design and prototype funded by the DST-IF Further prototyping funded jointly by the DST-IF and the IDC Make A FULLY WORKING PROTOTYPE IDC take the lead, DTI comes to the fore Entering INDUSTRIALISATION and assessing TIA role
Building the fabric of a knowledge economy – establishing the capacity to design and build our own cars – competing in the world market with South African creativity
Adding to the manufacturing and export base
Window of opportunity to enter the automotive industry as an emerging oem and for South Africa to grow economic activity with a new globally expanding market for cars, batteries, electric motors.
A South African Designed and Manufactured Battery Electric Vehicle -Joule
Climate Change The Economic Impact
“ Any increase of 2 - 3°C rise in temperature could reduce global economic output by 3% or by 10% if temperature rise by 5°C ~ $600 bn/year”
Sir Nicholas Stern report on Economic Consequence of Global Warming October 2006
….… but the good News
Global Clean Energy Initiatives are yielding significant Economic benefits e.g.
Current Clean Energy Markets were estimated at
~ $160 bn by 2005
5th Largest Venture Capital Category after Biotechnology, IT Software, Medical & Telecoms
Lofthouse, R. 2007. The Green Klondike. European Business, pp 28 – 30, January 2007