The global energy system is changing. More people are connecting to the grid as living standards improve around the world. Demand for consumer appliances and electronic devices is rising. New and innovative transportation technologies, such as electric vehicles and autonomous cars are also boosting power demand. The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest report on energy technologies outlines how these and other trends as well as technological advances play out in the next four decades to reshape the global energy sector.
Energy Technology Perspectives 2017 highlights that decisive policy actions and market signals will be needed to drive technological development and benefit from higher electrification around the world. Investments in stronger and smarter infrastructure, including transmission capacity, storage capacity and demand side management technologies are necessary to build efficient, low-carbon, integrated, flexible and robust energy system.
Still, current government policies are not sufficient to achieve long-term global climate goals, according to the IEA analysis. Only three out of 26 assessed technologies remain “on track” to meet climate objectives, according to the ETP’s Tracking Clean Energy Progress report. Where policies have provided clean signals, progress has been substantial. However, many technology areas suffer from inadequate policy support.
“As costs decline, we will need a sustained focus on all energy technologies to reach long-term climate targets,” said IEA Executive Director Dr Fatih Birol. “Some are progressing, but too few are on track, and this puts pressure on others. It is important to remember that speeding the rate of technological progress can help strengthen economies, boost energy security while also improving energy sustainability.”
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