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Energy security is emerging as a leading driver of innovation, according to a new IEA report

More than 150 technology breakthroughs are identified in the IEA’s latest State of Energy Innovation report, which finds that the energy sector is increasingly becoming an innovation powerhouse, with around one in 10 patents worldwide relating to energy, underlining the sector’s central role in national security, industrial strategy and economic performance.

Innnovation highlights

Innovation highlights include solid-state air conditioning, perovskite solar cells, fusion energy, sodium-ion batteries and next-generation geothermal systems. These advances contributed to 50 upgrades in technology readiness levels among emerging energy technologies tracked by the IEA. Innovations mentioned in the MENA region include thyssenkrupp Uhde’s cutting-edge hydrogen recovery unit (HRU) at Fertiglobe’s Fertil plant in Ruwais, UAE, which enables advanced hydrogen recovery from the ammonia synthesis purge gas, allowing for increased feedstock utilisation and a 6% increase in ammonia output. Also highlighted is the partnership between ADNOC Gas, Baker Hughes, and Levidian to deploy Levidian’s patented LOOP technology at ADNOC’s Habshan Gas Processing Plant. This captures carbon from methane and turns it into graphene and hydrogen.

The report highlights the shift in policy towards energy security, ahead of affordability and emissions reduction, with new initiatives such as the US Genesis Mission and the EU Competitiveness Fund reflecting growing emphasis on strengthening domestic technological capabilities and securing critical supply chains.

However, markets for some clean energy technologies weakened, the report says. For example, project delays and cancellations reduced expectations for the deployment of low-emissions hydrogen this decade. The IEA’s renewables deployment forecast for 2030 was downgraded by 5% in 2025 in response to policy and regulatory changes. Several major first-of-a-kind energy technology projects under construction, in areas such as near-zero emissions steel and direct air capture, were hit with higher costs and policy uncertainty.

“Energy innovation has become a strategic priority for governments around the world,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol. “With energy security and industrial competitiveness at the top of the agenda, countries that sustain investment in research, demonstration and early deployment will be best positioned to lead the next generation of energy technologies.”

Energy storage tops global innovation activity, with batteries accounting for 40% of all energy patenting in 2023. China, Korea, and Japan remain leading sources of lithium-ion battery patents, with China’s share rising sharply over the past decade. In solar innovation, patenting has shifted toward perovskite solar cells, which now account for over 70% of solar cell patents by material.

The report underscores the importance of public support for energy innovation, but notes a decline in public and corporate R&D in 2025 as well as a drop in venture capital investment in energy technology, with high interest rates, macroeconomic uncertainly and competition from artificial intelligence ventures impacting energy capital flows. In the corporate sector Aramco is highlighted as a major R&D spender, with annual average R&D spending of US$1,300mn from 2022-2024.

Nevertheless, new growth areas are emerging. Funding for fusion, nuclear fission, critical minerals, geothermal, carbon dioxide removal and low-emissions industry has grown significantly, offsetting much of the decline in electric mobility investment. The report also highlights regional approaches to energy innovation, with China for example continuing to expand its footprint across corporate R&D and patenting, particularly in energy storage and industrial efficiency.

With shifting policy priorities and financial cutbacks, the report stresses that sustained and well-targeted public support remains critical, highlighting the transformative benefits brought about by energy innovation. Successful energy innovations can have major economic and social outcomes, impacting industrial competitiveness, trade, environmental health, infrastructure investment and security, the report notes. Aligning energy innovation strategies with broader competitiveness and resilience goals will be essential, particularly where technologies can strengthen domestic supply chains or reduce strategic dependencies. Ensuring access to funding across all stages of development – especially as private capital becomes more selective – and reinforcing partnerships across research, industry and finance will be key to maintaining momentum.

Dubai Municipality has awarded five major contracts under the second phase of its Tasreef Programme, committing AED2.5bn to expand and reinforce the emirate’s stormwater drainage network.

The move follows directives from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to strengthen critical infrastructure and ensure drainage systems are fit to serve Dubai for the next century. The newly announced package will cover 30 key districts across approximately 430mn sq m, supporting a projected population of three million residents by 2040.

Contracts have been signed with international contractors including DeTech Contracting and China State Construction Engineering Corporation, alongside specialist consultants. The scope comprises three construction agreements and two design and study contracts focused on selected locations across the city.

The latest awards build on Phase One allocations announced in April 2025 and form part of a phased delivery strategy aimed at improving flood resilience amid rapid urbanisation and intensifying climate pressures. Dubai Municipality said the projects are aligned with the objectives of the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and broader national climate neutrality ambitions.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, described Tasreef as one of the emirate’s flagship infrastructure initiatives, designed to embed long-term sustainability into urban planning. He said the programme seeks to establish an integrated stormwater management system that enhances preparedness, safeguards resources and improves quality of life.

Adel Al Marzouqi, CEO of the Waste and Sewerage Agency, added that Phase Two will raise network capacity in priority areas, improve service continuity and elevate safety standards.

Among the headline schemes is the construction of a main tunnel up to four metres in diameter, linking communities along Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road and Al Yalayis Road to the primary drainage backbone. A separate 27 km integrated network will extend between Sheikh Zayed Road and Al Jamayel Road, incorporating advanced tunnels to protect a strategic industrial and logistics corridor.

Additional works include a new drainage tunnel and pumping station along Dubai–Al Ain Road and Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, as well as a stormwater collection lake. Design contracts have also been issued for an integrated stormwater and groundwater system in Al Marmoom and Saih Al Salam, connected to the main line along Al Qudra Road.

Road construction equipment manufacturer Wirtgen has introduced the W 200 F, a new-generation large milling machine designed to improve efficiency, operational precision and sustainability in road rehabilitation projects.

The machine forms part of Wirtgen’s latest portfolio of intelligent cold milling machines, developed to help contractors achieve a balance between productivity, milling quality and operating costs. With flexible milling widths of 2.0 m and 2.2 m and a maximum milling depth of 330 mm, the W 200 F is suited to a wide range of road maintenance applications, from removing surface layers to full-depth rehabilitation and fine milling tasks.

At the core of the machine’s capabilities is the company’s MILL ASSIST control technology, which automates many operational adjustments typically carried out manually by machine operators. Milling operations often require continuous parameter changes due to varying road surfaces and working conditions. These include adjustments to milling speed, drum rotation and water flow.

Using digital monitoring and real-time data analysis, MILL ASSIST automatically optimises these parameters while the machine is operating. According to Wirtgen, the system identifies the most efficient balance between production output and resource consumption, allowing the equipment to respond dynamically to changing site conditions. The automation helps reduce fuel use, water consumption and tool wear while also lowering noise and carbon emissions.

The W 200 F also introduces a revised operating interface designed to simplify machine control. Instead of monitoring several separate displays, operators can now access key operational data through a single 7-inch control panel that provides an overview of machine performance and milling progress. A secondary 5-inch panel manages the LEVEL PRO ACTIVE levelling system, which ensures precise surface results during milling operations.

LEVEL PRO ACTIVE is fully integrated with the machine’s control system and includes automated functions to improve productivity. For example, the system allows the machine to automatically raise itself when passing over obstacles such as manhole covers. It also assists operators when positioning the machine for subsequent milling passes, helping to maintain consistent surface quality.

Another notable feature is the optional Multiple Cutting System (MCS), which allows milling drums with different tool spacings to be replaced without additional tools. Using this system, a milling drum can be removed and replaced in approximately 15 minutes. The ability to quickly change drums enables contractors to adapt the machine to different project requirements and minimise downtime.

In addition, the W 200 F supports rapid replacement of entire milling drum assemblies. Pre-assembled units with different milling widths can be swapped in around one hour, allowing contractors to respond more quickly to changing project specifications on site.

Global bulk material handling specialist Martin Engineering has announced it will unveil a series of new conveyor accessories and flow technologies at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, taking place from 3–7 March at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Exhibiting at booth C30148 in the Central Hall, the company will present heavy-duty systems developed at its Center for Innovation, targeting safer and more efficient bulk handling operations across the aggregates and mining sectors.

Chris Schmelzer, Director of National Sales for the US and Canada, said the new portfolio has been tested in demanding real-world environments. He added that visitors will be able to explore solutions designed to support cleaner, safer and more productive material handling processes, from extraction through to final product.

Products on show

A key focus at the show will be dust and spillage control at conveyor transfer points, where emissions remain a persistent industry challenge.

Among the products on display is the Martin Skirtboard Liner, engineered to protect sealing systems by absorbing impact and abrasion inside transfer point skirtboards. The liner features a steel-reinforced urethane construction and a T-slot mounting interface that allows adjustment from outside the chute wall, reducing the need for confined space entry.

The company will also preview the Martin ApronSeal Urethane Skirting system, a dual-seal assembly combining a primary urethane seal with a self-adjusting secondary flap to contain fine material. Designed for belt speeds of up to 4.5 m/s, the system requires minimal maintenance and limited free belt space.

In addition, Martin’s modular A.I.R. Control Dust Curtains are designed to create controlled air recirculation zones within transfer enclosures, helping to reduce dust emissions compared with conventional rubber curtain systems. The curtains can be adjusted or replaced externally, cutting service times.

Flow improvement technologies will also feature prominently. The N2 Air Cannon Intelligence System monitors connected air cannons multiple times daily, detecting misfires, measuring blast efficiency and tracking pressure and temperature. A cloud-based dashboard enables predictive maintenance and reduces manual inspections.

An expanded line of electric vibrators will be introduced, aimed at improving material separation and preventing build-up in hoppers, silos and chutes. The new models offer increased power and efficiency while maintaining durability, backed by a three-year warranty.

The company will also present upgraded belt cleaning systems, including the Martin H1 Primary Belt Cleaner and P2 and R2 secondary cleaners, built with stainless steel components and tungsten carbide tips for use on abrasive materials and high-speed or reversing belts.

Siemens Smart Infrastructure has expanded its portfolio of industrial control and protection technologies with new developments aimed at improving electrical safety, operational reliability and sustainability in industrial environments.

The company has enhanced the capabilities of its semiconductor-based circuit protection technology while also introducing a refurbished soft starter developed under circular economy principles. The announcements reflect a broader push by Siemens to combine advanced electrical engineering with environmentally responsible manufacturing.

Central to the update is the continued development of the SENTRON Electronic Circuit Protection Device (ECPD), which was first launched in 2024. The device uses semiconductor technology to perform electronic switching far faster than traditional protection systems, helping to reduce short-circuit energy and safeguard connected equipment.

The ECPD can deliver switching speeds up to 1,000 times faster than conventional solutions. It also integrates more than ten configurable functions into a single unit, allowing operators to significantly reduce the space required within distribution boards while enabling software-based configuration.

Siemens plans to expand the product range with a single-phase version that will include integrated residual current monitoring. This function enables continuous supervision of electrical circuits to detect faults at an early stage without disrupting operations. Such monitoring is particularly relevant for facilities that require high levels of reliability, including data centres, exhibition venues and lighting installations, where uninterrupted power supply is essential.

A three-phase version of the ECPD is also under development to address higher-voltage systems operating at 400V and 32A. This model is expected to support a wider range of infrastructure and industrial applications, including conveyor systems, elevators, heat pumps, air conditioning installations and event power distribution networks.

According to Andreas Matthé, the company’s use of semiconductor technology is reshaping industry expectations for circuit protection by delivering faster response times, compact designs and improved system uptime.

Alongside the circuit protection developments, Siemens has also introduced its first refurbished soft starter designed according to circular economy principles. The SIRIUS 3RW5 -Z R11 refurbished soft starter is created through a controlled refurbishment process in which used devices are thoroughly tested, key components replaced and performance validated to meet the same standards as new equipment.

This remanufacturing process typically reduces carbon emissions by as much as 50% compared with producing a new device, primarily due to lower resource consumption. Environmental Product Declarations document the environmental benefits and ensure transparency.

The refurbished soft starter retains full compatibility with new units in terms of installation, parameterisation and functionality, enabling straightforward integration into existing systems. The product also incorporates traceability features such as a QR-based ID Link, allowing lifecycle monitoring across both its initial and refurbished service phases.

Siemens is showcasing the technology at the Light + Building 2026 in Frankfurt, where the company is highlighting how digitalisation and circular design can work together to support more sustainable industrial operations.

Airlines and aviation authorities across the Middle East are adjusting operations as regional tensions and airspace restrictions continue to disrupt travel, forcing carriers to reduce schedules while governments coordinate support for affected passengers.

Emirates confirmed it is operating a reduced flight schedule until further notice following the partial reopening of some regional airspace. The airline said it plans to run more than 100 flights to and from Dubai on 5 and 6 March in order to transport passengers and move essential cargo such as pharmaceuticals and perishables.

A spokesperson said the carrier will progressively rebuild its timetable as more airspace becomes available and operational requirements are met. Safety, the airline emphasised, remains its primary priority while it continues to monitor developments across the region.

Passengers have been advised to travel to the airport only if they hold confirmed bookings and to check the airline’s website and social media channels for the latest updates.

Meanwhile, Dubai-based carrier flydubai has resumed flights across parts of its network but is currently operating a scaled-back schedule. The airline said it is gradually adding services as restrictions on regional airspace begin to ease.

However, flight times may be longer than usual as aircraft are temporarily rerouted to avoid restricted zones. The airline also urged customers not to travel to the airport without confirmation of a booking or rebooked flight. Travellers connecting through Dubai will only be accepted if their onward flight is operating.

Despite wider disruptions, aviation activity in Jordan has remained comparatively stable. The Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission reported that airports across the Kingdom continued operating normally on Wednesday despite the closure of airspace in several neighbouring countries.

According to commission chairman Deifallah Farajat, Queen Alia International Airport recorded 67 inbound flights and 58 departures during the day, with national carrier Royal Jordanian accounting for the largest share of operations. Authorities said technical teams remain on standby to respond to any developments affecting airspace safety.

Elsewhere, the government of Oman has begun assisting foreign nationals stranded across the Gulf as the travel disruption intensifies. Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi said the country is working with governments and international airlines to organise flights for travellers seeking to leave the region.

Omani authorities are coordinating with diplomatic missions and carriers to ensure safe and orderly departures for affected passengers. The initiative reflects the Sultanate’s longstanding diplomatic approach of prioritising humanitarian assistance during regional crises.

The aviation disruption follows the escalation of the US-Israel-Iran conflict, which has prompted several countries to close or restrict their airspace. Airlines have been forced to cancel services or divert aircraft along longer routes to avoid conflict zones.

Industry observers warn that flight disruptions could persist in the coming weeks if hostilities continue, with travellers across the Middle East advised to monitor airline updates as schedules remain subject to rapid change.