WHAT IS INNOVATION?
Innovation can be said to be a new method or different way of doing something better that is more impactful.
Innovation can be clearly seen in the following ways:
To improve or change something
To bring something up to date
To apply new process to an existing product or service
To introduce a new technique
To establish something in order to create new value in a new way.
Innovation requires a higher degree of creativity (that is thinking outside of the box)
To be innovative you must have;
The right mindset
You have to be willing to break some of the rules (in a good way and for a good purpose: disclaimer below)
You must collect ideas everywhere because innovation needs ideas to try.
Must have a strong innovation team, people with a diverse background they can bring something new to the process.
To be innovative companies and startups must ask the big question – what area do I want to develop new solutions and what will be the focus of our innovation?
Innovation in Renewable Energy
Therefore innovation in renewable energy means – what new processes have emerged which helps deliver access to electricity to the underserved?
Digitalization definitely has change the trajectory of the renewable energy industry. The widespread of digital machinery in the important aspects of RE production, infrastructure and end-users based on machine-to-machine and human to machine interactions.
Blockchain, energy storage, internet of energy are recent innovative renewable energy trends that are changing the face of the sector now and we will continue to do so in the next decade.
How can new innovative ideas be harnessed from the Lab to the market?
- Strategic publicity and exposure of the idea is a sure first step. At Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute we work with each of our trained engineers to expose their ideas and solution. One of our trained member of alumni built a solar-powered non-contact hand wash Covid 19 machine. We worked with him to share his vision to the world, that way his product built traction and got the attention of the UN youth energy hub.
The point is, while waiting for government incentives and intervention we can do our own little bit.
2) Partnerships and collaboration is another way to harness innovative renewable energy ideas. We have partnered with several of our alumni members to support their project development. We have discovered that so many renewable energy innovators and entrepreneurs in Nigeria have no support. Without these, their ideas can hardly thrive. We are helping to bridge the gap by providing the needed support for young startups in the energy sector through our REEN Connect Initiative – https://retti.com.ng/reen-connect/ open to all renewable energy and clean technology advocates globally.
3) Mentorships and internships are great ways to capture the talent of our youth and transform their innovative ideas into usable products.The government can champion International exchange programs which we call power exchange to expose our own young solar engineers to record-breaking innovation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Glory’s life goal is to be a positive part of people’s lives and make good impact. She’s passionate about economic development of Nigeria and work in the field of renewable energy and environmental sustainability to promote Nigeria’s economic growth through job creation and education. She is the founder of Climate Smart Nigeria which promotes Climate Change Education in Nigerian institutions and provide capacity building on renewable energy technologies. Recently she established the Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI) where she is also the Chief Instructor. The institute grooms the next generation of efficient installers and entrepreneurs with a focus on women who will serve as a competent workforce for the renewable energy industry and provide solutions to Nigeria’s prevalent energy problems as entrepreneurs.
Under Glory’s leadership, RETTI recently lauched the RETTI Virtual University and introduced their eight short ONLINE COURSES to assist people wanting to get into the energy sector especially renewables.
Glory recently received the Florence School of Regulation’s – Lights on #Women #Award as one of four women out of 150 women from 64 countries. This award will granted her a featured interview with the FSR and a scholarship to study the course – #Electric #Vehicles (EV); a Power Sector Perspective and expand her knowledge about how EVs, #Charging #Infrastructure and the #V2X (Vehicle to Everything) concept will change the face of electricity and transportation.
Glory has published four books to promote the knowledge of climate change and renewable energy; Something is happening; Our world is changing; Understanding the Basics of Climate Change– for Secondary Schools – The Concept and Science of Climate Change – for the general adult public, A short thriller story – The Year Ran Mad – which depicts the impact of climate change on livelihood for Primary schools and The Girl who saw tomorrow, a short novel for secondary school – http://bit.ly/rettiM.
Glory can consult for African government entities about regulation for Electric Vehicles.
MORE ABOUT GLORY
She is the recipient of several local and international awards and recognitions which include (a) Nigerian Star from the US Mission in Nigeria (2018), (b) The Nigerian Energy Champion Prize from the Nigerian Energy Awards (2015), (c) President Obama’s Mandela Washington Fellowship Award (2015), (d) The Young Energy Professional of the Year Award by Nigeria Energy Awards (2018), (e) A Foremost Woman in Renewable Energy award recipient (2017); (f) Environmental Award of Excellence, Environmental Community Development group (2014) In April 2019, Glory was selected
as one of 15 African female business leaders to attend United States Government’s launch of the OPIC 2X
Africa and meet with advisor to President of USA – Ms. Ivanka Trump and the Ethiopian President – Ms Sahle-Work Zewde.
In the course of her work she has met and shared platforms with a number high profile personalities and leaders at the national and international levels, including President Barack Obama, US Senator Chris Coons, Advisor to President Trump, Ms Ivanka Trump, Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware USA, Ethiopian President – Ms Sahle-Work Zewde, The USG Undersecretary for Energy – Mr Mark Menezes and former Vice President Ebitu Ukiwe of Nigeria.
She is a consultant for Nigeria’s largest renewable energy event, the Nigerian Alternative Energy Expo. She was a former Vice President of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN), and is currently an active member. She’s an alumna of Abia State University, Nigeria, The Lagos Business School, University of Delaware, USA, European Energy Institute and The Florence School of Regulation, Italy.
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