Clean Energy Technologies — Definition

Definition

Clean energy technologies provide useful energy services with lower harmful environmental impacts than relevant alternatives under a defined comparison. They include approaches to supply, conversion, storage and efficient use, but these functions should not be treated as interchangeable.

Environmental performance depends on the complete pathway and assessment boundary, not only on emissions at the point of use. Hydrogen, for example, is an energy carrier whose production route matters.

A credible assessment compares the same service, identifies upstream and downstream effects, and distinguishes verified performance from a project announcement, capacity award or future target.