Angela Wilkinson, the secretary general of the World Energy Council, discussed energy trends at the 26th World Energy Congress in Rotterdam. She spoke with CNBC’s Steve Sedgwick and shared her insights on the future of energy.
Results for: Renewable Energy
According to Nikhil Bhandari, co-head of Asia-Pacific natural resources and clean energy at Goldman Sachs, grid infrastructure will play a crucial role in enabling the region’s transition to renewable energy.
The Hydro-pumped Storage Plants market is expected to grow significantly due to the increasing demand for electrical energy and the need for grid support from intermittent renewables. Hydro-pumped storage, which includes pump back plants and conventional hydroelectric dams, plays a crucial role in balancing energy supply and demand by storing excess electrical energy during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak demand. These systems are essential baseload sources, providing power quality and grid stability.
Pennsylvania has become the first state in the nation to achieve a clean energy threshold, with at least half of the electricity needed to power 16 state government agencies coming from solar energy within one to three years. The state’s Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy (PA PULSE) will provide more reliable, affordable electricity while reducing carbon emissions. The 10 solar arrays will generate 361,000 megawatt hours of electricity, equivalent to the power needed for 35,000 homes annually. Pennsylvania is also setting new clean energy portfolio standards, aiming for 50% of its energy sources to come from zero or near-zero emissions by 2035.
Europe is experiencing an alarming rate of warming, with temperatures rising at approximately twice the global average. According to a joint report by the World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s climate agency, Copernicus, the continent’s average temperature is now 2.3°C above pre-industrial levels. This warming trend is leading to severe consequences, including increased heat stress, glacier melt, economic losses, and health risks.
President Biden announced $7 billion in federal grants for solar projects in low- and middle-income communities, targeting Republicans who reject climate change policies. The grants will fund rooftop solar and community solar gardens, aiming to reduce emissions and save households money. Biden also expanded the green jobs training program American Climate Corps, mirroring the New Deal’s Civilian Conservation Corps.
Europe is experiencing a rapid warming trend, with temperatures rising at double the global average. The continent faces significant impacts on human health, glacier melt, and economic activity. Despite progress in renewable energy adoption, Europe remains vulnerable to extreme weather events and climate-related losses.
Governor Healey, Mayor Wu, and Climate Chief Hoffer will represent Massachusetts at an international conference on climate resilience at the Vatican next month. The event, organized by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Social Sciences, brings together leaders to discuss how communities can prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Healey will speak on ‘governing in the age of climate change,’ while Wu will address ‘governance, health, and energy.’ Massachusetts is committed to transitioning to renewable energy sources and has received $156 million in grants from the EPA for residential solar energy programs.
According to the European State of the Climate (ESOTC) report, Europe is warming up at twice the global average, with temperatures rising 2.3 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels compared to 1.3 degrees Celsius globally. This warming trend is leading to deadly heatwaves, severe flooding, and other extreme weather events. In 2023, which was the second warmest year on record for Europe, parts of southern Europe experienced extreme heat stress, while northern Europe faced extended periods of extreme cold stress.
Europe’s climate is rapidly changing, with temperatures rising at twice the global average, according to a joint report by the World Meteorological Organization and the European Union’s climate agency, Copernicus. This warming trend is leading to dire consequences, such as increased glacier melt, extreme weather events, and health risks for its citizens.