ACEF 2025 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Technological innovations are driving the clean energy transition in the Asia and Pacific region, with advancements in renewable energy technologies, energy storage, and smart grid systems. These innovations are unlocking new potential energy resources, enhancing energy access and expanding inclusion.. Governments and private sector entities are investing in research and development to accelerate the deployment of cutting-edge technologies and promote sustainable development. Despite the progress, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of technological innovations. The initial cost of deploying new technologies can be prohibitive, especially for developing countries and low-income communities. Inconsistent policies and regulations across countries can create obstacles for the adoption of new technologies. Some technologies face technical challenges in terms of scalability, integration, and reliability. Securing funding for innovative projects can be challenging, particularly for small- and medium-sized enterprises and startups.

• How can we reduce the costs of deploying new clean energy technologies to make them more accessible?
• What regulatory frameworks are needed to support the adoption of technological innovations?
• How can technical challenges be addressed to ensure the scalability and reliability of new technologies?
• What financing mechanisms can be developed to support innovative projects and startups?

The Technological Innovations track will explore the latest advancements and challenges in deploying clean energy technologies across the Asia and Pacific region. Discussions will focus on four key areas: Improving Access, Expanding Inclusion, Renewable Technologies, and Potential Energy Resources. Participants will delve into innovative solutions, policy frameworks, and financing mechanisms that can drive the adoption of new technologies. The track aims to identify innovative technology and actionable strategies that enhance the development of clean energy technological innovations in the region. The four main areas of discussion in this Thematic Track will include:

1. Improving Access to Clean Energy Solutions: Efforts are underway to improve access to clean energy technologies, particularly in rural and remote areas. Innovations in decentralized energy systems, such as microgrids and off-grid solar solutions, are playing a crucial role. High costs and limited infrastructure can hinder the deployment of these technologies in underserved areas. How can we make clean energy technologies more affordable and accessible to remote communities? What role can public-private partnerships and private sector play in improving energy access?
2. Inclusive Clean Energy for All: Initiatives are being launched to ensure that all segments of society, including marginalized and low-income communities, benefit from clean energy innovations. Programs focused on capacity building, education, and community engagement are essential. Social and economic barriers can limit the participation of marginalized communities in clean energy initiatives. What innovative technologies are being developed or exist that can expand inclusion and ensure that no one is left behind in the clean energy transition? How can we engage and empower marginalized communities to participate in innovative clean energy projects?
3. Advancements in Renewable Technologies: Advancements in renewable energy technologies, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, are driving the clean energy transition. Innovations in energy storage and grid integration are enhancing the reliability and efficiency of renewable energy systems. Technical limitations and high costs can hinder the widespread adoption of renewable technologies. How can we accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies? What role can public-private partnerships and private sector play in advancing research and development in this area?
4. Unlocking Potential Emerging Energy Resources: The exploration of new and potential energy resources, such as geothermal, tidal, and hydrogen, is gaining momentum. These resources have the potential to diversify the energy mix and enhance energy security. Technical and financial barriers can limit the exploration and development of new energy resources. What are the most promising potential energy resources in the Asia and Pacific region? How can we overcome the technical and financial barriers to developing these resources?

Regional power trade and market integration are gaining traction in the Asia and Pacific region as countries recognize the benefits of interconnected energy systems. By integrating power markets and facilitating cross-border electricity trade, countries can enhance energy security, optimize resource utilization, and reduce costs. Despite some progress, several challenges hinder the full realization of regional power trade and market integration. Inconsistent regulations and policies across countries can create obstacles for cross-border electricity trade. Insufficient infrastructure, such as transmission lines and interconnectors, limits the potential for regional power trade. Differences in grid standards, operational practices, and market mechanisms can complicate the integration of power systems. Political instability and geopolitical tensions can impact regional cooperation and the implementation of cross-border projects. Track 2 aims to address the following questions:

• How can regulatory frameworks be harmonized to support regional power trade and market integration?
• What financing mechanisms can be developed to address infrastructure gaps and support the construction of cross-border transmission lines?
• How can technical and operational challenges be overcome to ensure seamless integration of power systems across borders?
• What strategies can be employed to mitigate political and geopolitical risks and promote regional cooperation?

The Regional Power Trade & Market Integration track will explore the latest developments and challenges in integrating power markets and facilitating cross-border electricity trade in the Asia and Pacific region. Discussions will focus on two key areas: Integrated Systems Planning and Building Regional Infrastructure. Participants will delve into innovative solutions, policy frameworks, and financing mechanisms that can drive regional power trade and market integration. The track aims to identify actionable regional power trade and market integration strategies to enhance energy security, optimize resource utilization, and promote sustainable development. The four main areas of discussion in this Thematic Track will include:

1. Regional Energy Planning and Grid Integration: Countries are increasingly adopting integrated systems, planning approaches to optimize the use of energy resources and enhance grid reliability. This involves coordinated planning of generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure. Aligning planning processes across countries and ensuring data sharing and transparency are major challenges. How can countries develop integrated systems planning frameworks that facilitate regional cooperation? What role can digitization and automated intelligence have in optimizing energy access and resources? What role can public-private partnerships and private sector have in supporting integrated systems planning initiatives?
2. Building Regional Infrastructure for Seamless Power Trade: Efforts are underway to develop regional infrastructure, such as cross-border transmission lines and interconnectors, to support regional power trade. Endeavors like the Regional Power Grid of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations aim to create a more interconnected and resilient energy system. Financing and constructing large-scale regional infrastructure projects can be complex and time-consuming. Ensuring the interoperability of different grid systems is also a challenge. What financing mechanisms can be developed to support the construction of regional infrastructure? How can countries ensure the interoperability of different grid systems to facilitate seamless power trade?
3. Enhancing Regulatory and Policy Frameworks for Power Trade: Countries are seeking ways to harmonize regulatory and policy frameworks to support cross-border electricity trade and market integration in the Asia and Pacific region. Regional dialogue can enhance capacity to improve best practices, address regulatory barriers, and discuss the role of regional organizations in shaping effective policies. How can regional regulatory and policy frameworks be harmonized to facilitate cross-border electricity trade and market integration? What best practices can be adopted from other regions to improve regulatory alignment and cooperation in the Asia and Pacific? How can countries address regulatory barriers and create a conducive environment for regional power trade? What role do regional organizations and forums play in shaping and implementing effective regulatory policies?
4. Advancing Renewable Energy Integration: Several countries in the region have been exploring strategies for integrating renewable energy sources into regional power markets. Several innovative solutions exist for managing renewable energy variability, collaborative regional projects, and the role of energy storage technologies in enhancing grid stability. Regional dialogue can enhance capacity to improve best practices, address regulatory barriers, and discuss the role of regional organizations in shaping effective policies. How can regional power markets be designed to better integrate renewable energy sources and enhance grid stability? What innovative solutions can be implemented to manage the variability and intermittency of renewable energy in a regional context? How can countries collaborate to develop regional renewable energy projects and share resources effectively? What role do energy storage technologies play in supporting the integration of renewables into regional power grids?

Energy efficiency is gaining momentum across the Asia and Pacific region as countries strive to reduce energy consumption, lower costs, and enhance energy security. Governments and private sector entities are investing in energy-efficient technologies and practices to achieve these goals. Innovations in smart grids, energy management systems, and advanced materials are driving improvements in energy efficiency across various sectors. Despite the progress, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of energy efficiency measures. Many consumers and businesses are not fully aware of the benefits of energy efficiency or how to implement energy-saving measures. The upfront cost of energy-efficient technologies can be prohibitive, especially for small businesses and low-income households. Inconsistent policies and regulations across countries can create obstacles for the adoption of energy-efficient practices. Some sectors face technical challenges in integrating energy-efficient technologies into existing systems. Under this track, questions to be considered include the following:

• How can we increase awareness and understanding of energy efficiency benefits among consumers and businesses?
• What financing mechanisms can be developed to make energy-efficient technologies more affordable?
• How can regulatory frameworks be harmonized across the region to support energy efficiency initiatives?
• What are the best practices for integrating energy-efficient technologies into existing infrastructure?

The Energy Efficiency track will explore the latest advancements and challenges in improving energy efficiency across the Asia and Pacific region. Discussions will focus on the following key areas: Utility Level, Buildings, Manufacturing and Industry, and Energy Service Companies (ESCOs). Participants will delve into innovative solutions, policy frameworks, and financing mechanisms that can drive energy efficiency improvements. The track aims to identify actionable strategies to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and promote sustainable development. The four main areas of discussion in this Thematic Track will include:

1. Smart Utilities – Demand Flexibility & Grid Optimization: Utilities are adopting smart grid technologies and advanced metering infrastructure to optimize energy distribution and reduce losses. Integrating renewable energy sources and managing demand fluctuations remain significant challenges. How can utilities leverage data analytics to improve energy efficiency? What role can public-private partnerships play in modernizing utility infrastructure?
2. Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Energy-efficient building designs, retrofitting projects, and smart home technologies are becoming more prevalent. High retrofitting costs and a lack of standardized building codes are major barriers. What incentives can be provided to encourage energy-efficient building practices? How can technology be used to monitor and optimize energy use in buildings?
3. Enhancing Efficiency in Manufacturing and Industry: Industries are implementing energy management systems and adopting energy-efficient machinery to reduce energy consumption. High initial investment costs and technical limitations in retrofitting existing equipment. How can industries overcome the financial barriers to adopting energy-efficient technologies? What are the best practices for integrating energy efficiency into industrial processes?
4. Scaling up ESCOs and Cooling Efficiency: ESCOs serve an important role across the Asia and Pacific region. Collaborative efforts, innovative technologies, harmonized policies, financing mechanisms, and the use of digital technologies have tremendous potential to optimize reduce energy consumption. How can ESCOs carry out collaborations to improve cooling efficiency across the Asia and Pacific region? What innovative cooling technologies and practices can be shared and implemented regionally to enhance energy efficiency? How can regional policies and standards be harmonized to support the deployment of efficient cooling solutions? What financing mechanisms can be developed to support cross-border ESCO projects focused on efficient cooling? How can data and digital technologies be leveraged to optimize cooling systems and reduce energy consumption across the region?

The private sector is playing an increasingly vital role in financing clean energy projects across the Asia and Pacific region. Also, partnership financing and public-private partnerships are emerging as key mechanisms to mobilize capital, leverage public resources, and drive innovation in the clean energy sector. Governments are creating environments to attract private investment and public private partnerships as well as to foster support from regional and global partnership facilities. Despite progress, governments in the region continue to have limited technical and financial expertise required to advance the development and implementation of projects needing partnership funding and/or some combination of blended financing. How can we improve access to blended financing for clean energy projects in the region? What strategies can be employed to mitigate the perceived risks associated with clean energy investments? How can regulatory frameworks be harmonized to support private sector participation in clean energy projects? What capacity-building initiatives are necessary to enhance the financial expertise of stakeholders to better secure blended finance options?

The Private Sector and Partnership Financing track will explore the latest developments and challenges in mobilizing capital and fostering public-private partnerships in the clean energy sector. Discussions will focus on innovative financing mechanisms, risk mitigation strategies, and capacity-building initiatives that can elevate private sector investment and collaboration among governments, private sector, and regional as well as global partnership entities. The track aims to identify actionable strategies to enhance financing solutions, promote sustainable development, and accelerate the clean energy transition. The four main areas of discussion in this Thematic Track will include:

1. Innovative Financing Mechanisms: New financing mechanisms, such as thematic bonds, climate funds, and blended finance, are being developed to attract private investment in clean energy projects. Ensuring the scalability and accessibility of these mechanisms for diverse stakeholders requires the following questions to be addressed. How can we scale up innovative financing mechanisms to support clean energy projects? What role can public-private partnerships play in developing and implementing these mechanisms?
2. De-Risking Clean Energy Investments: Governments and financial institutions are implementing risk mitigation strategies, such as guarantees, insurance, and de-risking instruments, to attract private investment. Addressing the high perceived risks associated with clean energy investments, the following questions will receive attention. What are the most effective risk mitigation strategies for clean energy projects? How can we enhance the collaboration between public and private sectors to implement these strategies? What role can partnership financing have in mitigating financial risks in clean energy investments?
3. Building Expertise for Clean Energy Investments: Capacity-building programs and technical assistance initiatives are being launched to enhance the expertise of stakeholders involved in clean energy investment projects. Limited technical and financial expertise can hinder the development and implementation of PPPs and other blended finance initiatives. What capacity-building is needed to support the development of PPPs and other forms of blended finance in the clean energy sector? How can we ensure that these initiatives are accessible to all stakeholders?
4. Strengthening Regulatory Frameworks and Policy for Clean Energy Investments: Governments are creating enabling environments through policy support, incentives, and regulatory frameworks to attract private investment. Inconsistent policies and regulations across countries can create obstacles for private sector participation. How can regulatory frameworks be harmonized to support private sector participation in clean energy projects? What policy incentives can be provided to encourage private investment?