Table 1

Technology Readiness Level scale (European Commission, 2014)

Maturity levelDescriptionStages
TRL 1Basic principles observedIdeas stages
TRL 2Technology concept formulated
TRL 3Experimental proof of conceptDevelopment stages
TRL 4Technology validated in lab
TRL 5Technology validated in relevant environmentValidating and pilot testing stages
TRL 6Technology demonstrated in relevant environment
TRL 7System prototype demonstration in operational environmentDemonstration in real world stages
TRL 8System complete and qualified
TRL 9Actual system proven in operational environment