The International Energy Agency (IEA) has brought out its State of Energy Innovation 2026 report. It finds that clean-energy innovation is expanding worldwide, driven by competitiveness, energy security and climate goals. In 2025, more than 320 energy start-ups secured first-round funding, and the number of energy-related patents rose globally. The report observes that integration of power grids remains slow despite mature technologies, because of regulatory and market barriers. It names the USA, Germany, China and India among the countries competing for technological leadership in clean energy.