“I was told it could be a little better than an incandescent bulb, but that was about it,” said General Electric engineer Ed Hammer, who invented the spiral compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) in the mid-70s. In fact, his invention uses just 25% of the power of an old-fashioned, incandescent bulb and lasts around ten times longer.
Today CFLs are standard in homes and offices around the world and many countries have phased out incandescent bulbs, including an out-right legal ban in Argentina. If the electricity that lights the bulb is created from coal, then the invention has saved 500 pounds (227kg) of coal per bulb.
Innovation is constantly improving the sustainability and the reach of the energy sector. Technological advances have brought the cost of solar panels down by 80% since 2008, meaning that this renewable energy source is now a cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels.
And off-grid solutions are improving access to energy in remote parts of Africa with many NGOs offering solar-powered lamps and innovative financing methods.
So what are the best ways to nurture and develop innovation in the sector? Should incentives be offered to encourage inventions that benefit developing countries? And is there a danger that too much focus on technology risks reliance “quick fixes,” rather than working on less exciting, more effective solutions, like energy-saving?
Join a panel of experts to discuss these questions and more on Thursday 8 October 1-3pm BST.
The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). Get in touch via globaldevpros@theguardian.com or @GuardianGDP on Twitter to recommend someone for our expert panel. Follow the discussion using the hashtag #globaldevlive.
The panel
Marco Giani, head of project portfolio and new business models, innovation and sustainability department, Enel, Rome, Italy, @EnelGroup
With a background in statistics and economics, Marco has an in depth knowledge of the energy sector.
Meir Yaacoby, electrical engineer, Innovation Africa, Tel Aviv, Israel
Meir has a background at Israel Electric Company. As well as working for Innovation Africa, he is the co-founder of Ulysses solution, a software company which develops platforms for developing countries.
Gregory Nemet, professor of public affairs and environmental studies, Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA
Gregory is the chair of the energy analysis and policy programme at University of Wisconsin. His research analyses technological change in energy and its interactions with public policy.
Michael O. Oluwagbemi, co-founder/director, Wennovation Hub, Lagos, Nigeria, @busanga
Serial entrepreneur and innovation champion, Michael co-founded Wennovation the pioneer private accelerator in Lagos Nigeria, as well as Lagos Angel Network.
Klara Lindner, customer experience lead, Mobisol GmbH, Berlin, Germany, @klaralindner
Klara joined Mobisol to lead the pilot phase in east Africa and developed its pioneering business model.
John O’Brien, regional technical adviser on climate change, UNDP, Istanbul, Turkey, @johnobrien98
John has working on energy and climate change issues since 1994 with experience in the private sector, he co-founded a carbon trading company in London, and in the public sector, for the New Zealand government and UNDP.
Ilmi Granoff, head of green growth, the Overseas Development Institute, London, UK, @theilmatic
Ilmi is a clean energy and infrastructure attorney leading the Overseas Development Institute’s work on green growth.
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