Our mandate...
To reduce the time, cost and risk associated with the development and commercialisation of energy innovation in Aotearoa by fostering a new energy ecosystem and leveraging national and global knowledge, as New Zealand transitions to a low emissions future.
Our key objectives as stated in our MBIE funding agreement
1. Research and technology development
Identify opportunities that could be commercialised and build the knowledge base of national and international ideas and technology.
2. Connect and complete the energy ecosystem
Enable domestic and international relationships between industry, investors, researchers, governments and energy innovators.
3. Pathways to commercialisation
Support energy innovation development and commercialisation activities, including the development of solutions to pilot new technologies and help initiatives to become investment ready.
4. Trusted advisor
Provide targeted, tailored advice on activities in the innovation chain focused on energy developments and opportunities for applying overseas technologies in New Zealand.
5. Support Government strategy
Ensure Ara Ake is aligned with government energy strategy.
6. Governance
Ensure Ara Ake has independent skill-based governance and management arrangements.
7. Sustainability
Ensure Ara Ake is moving towards long-term financial independence from Government funding.
Our strategic initiatives
In order to meet the above objectives, Ara Ake will focus on the key strategic initiatives below. Ara Ake will work collaboratively on similar initiatives being managed by other government agencies, to ensure a joined up approach on insights, commercialisation and technology development.
Gather the relevant information and insights (e.g, key players, funders, technology and investment trends) required to map the energy innovation ecosystem in Aotearoa.
This information will be made publicly available on Ara Ake’s website and as part of an annual report.
- Develop and offer ‘pathways to commercialisation’ services to energy innovators who have a solution reasonably proven in terms of technology development.
- The services provided would facilitate the demonstration and commercialisation of those solutions in Aotearoa. Solutions could come from either New Zealand or overseas innovators. The ‘pathways to commercialisation’ services would also be available to solutions (technical and commercial) that are mature in other markets but have not been deployed in Aotearoa.
- Develop a selection criteria, which clearly articulates, for example, the technology readiness levels we are targeting, the envisaged outcomes of the solutions, (e.g. carbon reduction, job creation, etc.) and the alignment of those solutions to the just transition principles.
- As part of this initiative, Ara Ake would be looking at leveraging other potential national (e.g. MBIE and EECA) and international funding, (e.g. Elemental Excelerator) which would further facilitate the demonstration and commercialisation of energy innovation solutions in Aotearoa.
Continue the new energy knowledge and insights work, which has already been started by Ara Ake (e.g. Long-Distance Heavy Freight, Multiple Trading Relationships Pilot and CCUS) and any relevant subsequent follow-up work. It is envisaged that this initiative would also provide new energy knowledge and insights which will be made publicly available on Ara Ake’s website.