Towards Advanced Frugal Innovations for Energy Sustainability in Developing Countries: A Research Agenda

Abstract

Advanced frugal innovations (AFIs) are innovative designs that apply scientific and engineering principles to existing frugal and inclusive innovation designs to address resource constraints while maintaining technological sophistication. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute framework and PRISMA-ScR approach, this review systematically identifies and maps literature, theories, and interconnected themes linking AFIs to energy sustainability in developing countries. The study aims to highlight critical knowledge gaps at the intersection of sustainability, AFIs, and the energy sector while serving as a preliminary step in systems mapping to visualise how advanced frugality promotes sustainability in resource-constrained environments. Analysis of the literature suggests examining these interactions through multiple lenses, including systems thinking, resource-based perspectives, and socio-technical frameworks, to inform comparative research across different regions and contexts. We propose a comprehensive research agenda to investigate the essential conditions for creating an innovative ecosystem that supports the development, implementation, and scaling of AFIs in the energy sector of developing countries, with particular emphasis on overcoming institutional barriers, enhancing technological capabilities, and fostering sustainable development outcomes. This research contributes to both theoretical understanding and practical application of AFIs in addressing energy poverty while promoting environmental sustainability.