20 November 2014: The ‘Ask an Expert’ service of the Clean Energy Solutions Center, an initiative of the Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM), has responded to more than 130 requests by policy makers from around the world for free policy assistance. Experts have responded to requests related to the evaluation of policies and programmes that support the use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, energy access and rural electrification.

Since its establishment in early 2012, the service has sought to provide a link between policy makers and nearly 40 global experts specializing in clean energy policy topics. Experts are based in organizations, such as the Institute for Industrial Productivity (IIP), European Solar Thermal Electricity Association (ESTELA) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).

Success stories from this service include: analysis and information to enable Chad to increase access to clean and sustainable electricity sources; a residential energy efficiency retrofit guide for Albania; and assistance to Nicaragua in its efforts to strengthen its renewable energy policy framework.

Describing the 130 responses as “a tremendous accomplishment,” Ian Lloyd, the Solutions Center’s initiative lead, explained that “the core spirit of the Ask an Expert program is to provide unbiased expertise that helps policy makers solve concrete policy challenges and accomplish their countries’ clean energy objectives.”

Representatives of government agencies, organizations and institutes assisting governments can submit clean energy policy support requests online through a form on the Solutions Center’s website.

The Clean Energy Solutions Center is co-led and co-funded by the US Department of Energy and the Australian Department of Industry. [CEM Press Release] [CEM Ask an Expert: No-cost Assistance on Clean Energy Policy Issues]