{"id":38238,"date":"2019-06-11T08:10:05","date_gmt":"2019-06-11T08:10:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.alj.com\/?post_type=perspective&p=38238"},"modified":"2021-08-05T08:53:44","modified_gmt":"2021-08-05T08:53:44","slug":"preparing-for-a-cleaner-greener-future","status":"publish","type":"perspective","link":"https:\/\/alj.com\/en\/perspective\/preparing-for-a-cleaner-greener-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for a cleaner, greener future"},"content":{"rendered":"

How will the world\u2019s energy mix change over the next 30 years, and which new technologies look set to have the biggest impact on meeting a growing energy demand?<\/p>\n

As the global population continues to expand and increasing urbanization drives dramatic changes to the way we live and work, how will the energy sector adapt to the new pressures it faces? \u00a0<\/p>\n

\"BPIn the \u2018evolving transition\u2019 scenario outlined in the BP Energy Outlook 2019<\/a>[1]<\/a>, global energy demand increases 33% by 2040.\u00a0 But there are also fundamental shifts in the energy mix to meet that demand, with renewables contributing half of the primary energy growth and coal\u2019s share of power generation falling from 40% in 2017 to just 20% by 2040.<\/p>\n

Indications of this transition to lower carbon fuels have been long visible and the rise of renewables is now beyond doubt.\u00a0 In 2019 alone, the solar photovoltaic (PV) market, for example, is set to experience dramatic growth.\u00a0 By the end of December, it is expected to be up 25% year-on-year \u2013 with a 43% increase outside China[2]<\/a>. \u00a0If these expectations are fulfilled, 129 GW of solar installations around the world will be helping to forge a cleaner energy future[3]<\/a> for all.<\/p>\n

\"WorldThe World Energy Council\u2019s<\/a> published their Trilemma Index<\/a> which ranks countries\u2019 energy performance on three dimensions, Energy Security, Energy Equity, and Environmental Sustainability, and is derived from modelling global and national data.<\/p>\n

The latest results suggest where a coherence and cohesive integrated policy approach can help deliver well-calibrated energy systems in this global transformation.<\/p>\n

Managing and maintaining this balance between security, equity and sustainability with a rapid conversion to decentralized, decarbonized, and digital systems is daunting: and not without risks.\u00a0 In 2018 the Report shows that although many countries are managing this delicate balance well, just eight nations a given a top AAA balance rating and with their long history of respect for the environment, it comes as no surprise that once more Denmark, Switzerland and Sweden are at the top.<\/p>\n

\"World<\/p>\n

Over the course of 2019, China, the United States (where Washington state has recently followed California, Hawaii, Nevada and New Mexico to become the fifth state to establish a 100% clean energy target[4]<\/a>), and India will maintain their status as the top three PV markets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"248
248 acre \u2018panda-shaped\u2019 solar PV plants, Datong County Shanxi Province, China<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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However, almost two-thirds of the PV installations forecast for 2019 will be in Asia Pacific (64%)[5]<\/a>, where Japan in particular is one of many countries making considerable changes.\u00a0 It aims to achieve an 80% cut in greenhouse gases by 2050, and have 7% of its 2030 power supplied by solar[6]<\/a>.\u00a0 In Africa and the Middle East, progress is less dramatic, accounting for just 5% of this year\u2019s solar installations, despite enjoying climate conditions that are well suited to PV plants.<\/p>\n

\"Mohammed
Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park (Image courtesy of \u00a9 Masdar, part of Mubadala Investment Company)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That is not to suggest that a burgeoning renewables sector is not taking hold across large swathes of the Middle East, however.\u00a0 In April 2020, The Solar Show MENA 2020 and The Wind Show MENA 2020 events will bring together hundreds of speakers and sponsors alongside thousands of attendees[7]<\/a>. \u00a0The events build on the momentum already present from a series of world-class developments in the region, including the record-breaking Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park<\/a> in the United Arab Emirates.\u00a0 When finished, the US$ 13.6 billion plant could power 1.3 million homes and cut CO2<\/sub> emissions by 6.5 million tons per year[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n