TSEP#180 The Energy Transition is More Than Electricity

The expansion of renewable energies is booming worldwide. Power
capacity additions reached a new benchmark of 473 gigawatts in
2023. But energy demand is still on the rise and is not yet fully
met by renewables. Furthermore, renewable energy growth is most
noticeable in the power sector (electricity generation), whereas
critical energy carriers such as renewable heat and
renewable-based fuels remain neglected. As a result,
energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose by a further 1.1% in
2023.


What are the latest trends in energy supply? What do we need to
further accelerate the energy transition in general and in the
heating and transport sector in particular? And how can we
finance all this, particularly in developing countries? We talk
about this with Rana Adib, Executive Director of REN21.


Timeline:




02:30 The Renewables 2024 Global Status Report consists of
five modules. At The smarter E Europe you have presented the
third module “Energy Supply”. What are its key findings and
trends?




07:20 86% of global power capacity additions last year were
renewable. But electricity is only a small part of the story.
Nearly half of all energy consumption is in the form of
direct heat, followed by fuels with a 30% share. The progress
in decarbonisation here is alarmingly limited. Why is that?




09:36 How can this be changed, especially in the building and
transport sector?




13:01 The 473 GW of renewable power capacity added in 2023
was a new record. However, this is still far short of the
1,000 GW needed annually to meet global climate and
sustainable development commitments. How can we accelerate
the pace of the energy transition?




16:55 How can we speed up grid expansion and facilitate the
financing of projects? 19:18 What is needed for a real 24/7
renewable energy supply? How can we compensate times of low
renewable power production and high demand in winter or at
night, for example?


Questions or suggestions? Then send us an email to
podcast@thesmartere.com