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IEA Technology Collaboration Programmes aim to facilitate international co‐operation to develop new and improved energy technologies.

About IEA TCPs

People engaged in discussion in a meeting

There are close to 40 Technology Collaboration Programmes (TCPs) within the IEA.

  • TCPs are independent, international groups of experts that enable governments and industries from around the world to lead programmes and projects on a wide range of energy technologies and related issues.
  • Each TCP is organised under the auspices of an Implementing Agreement which is most commonly used to describe the legal text of a TCP. The legal text includes key provisions regarding the purpose, management and implementation of the TCP.
  • The activities of each TCP are overseen by an Executive Committee (ExCo) comprised of representatives designated by each participant. The ExCo takes decisions on the management, participation and implementation aspects of the TCP. Some TCPs entrust the management functions of the TCP, or of a particular activity, to an Operating Agent (OA).
  • TCPs are self-financed by the participants, either through financial and/or in-kind contributions.
  • TCPs normally execute their research initiatives through collaborations known as Tasks or Annexes, each of which involves leading international researchers from industry, academia, research institutions and public bodies in member countries.

For further information, please refer to the IEA Technology Collaboration Programmes.

  • Information sharing and networking with leading international R&D performing organisations

  • Participation in the acceleration of development and deployment of important energy technologies, processes & systems which are of global strategic importance

  • Forming new partnerships and strengthening R&D capability for future transnational collaborative working (e.g., H2020/FP9 consortia, etc.)

  • Reduced cost and duplication of research activities through coordination of international collaboration

  • Learning from and contributing to best practice

  • Linking research, industry and policy on a global scale

  • Representing Ireland internationally at the forefront of activity in your area

  • Being at the forefront of international technical standards development

  • Involvement in development of technologies and the exposure of Irish companies/ universities/research institutions/public & semi-state bodies to those who develop these technologies, to international expertise and opportunities

  • Ensuring that Irish researchers are conversant with, and contribute to developing, international best practice

Advantages to IEA TCP participation

There are numerous advantages to participating in the ongoing activities of TCPs for the Irish energy/low-carbon technology sector which include:

Ireland's involvement in the IEA TCPs

Ireland is involved in 11 TCPs with SEAI appointed as the contracting party:

  1. Bioenergy TCP
  2. Energy in Buildings and Communities TCP (EBC)
  3. Energy Systems Analysis TCP (ETSAP)
  4. District Heating and Cooling TCP (DHC)
  5. Heat Pumping Technologies TCP (HPT)
  6. Hybrid and Electric Vehicles TCP (HEV)
  7. Hydrogen TCP
  8. International Smart Grid Action Network TCP (ISGAN)
  9. Ocean Energy Systems TCP (OES)
  10. User-Centred Energy Systems TCP (Users)
  11. Wind TCP

The scope and strategy of these 11 TCPs align with SEAI's strategic objectives related to renewable energy, climate change and coordination of energy-related research. Click on each link above to learn more about that particular TCP.

If you have any queries on Ireland's involvement in the TCPs, please contact [email protected]

IEA TCP Upcoming Events

New events will soon be published.

Interested in participating in a TCP?

Do you want to represent Ireland in an IEA Technology Collaboration Programme? Click below to find out more about our appointment process.

Learn more about interested in participating in a tcp?