Energy Transitions

The global energy mix is experiencing profound change, with equally profound geopolitical and market challenges and opportunities on the horizon. Policy makers and business leaders will need to develop strategies to navigate the changing global energy landscape, addressing both the challenges and opportunities the energy transition is providing.

Recent analysis

Programs

The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.

Events

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

International grid integration: Efficiencies, vulnerabilities, and strategic implications in Asia

By Phillip Cornell

In order to meet growing global demand for electricity, and in response to an increase in renewables, power networks and markets are evolving and becoming increasingly interconnected. South and Southeast Asia have already had some success with interconnections, and China’s vision and Belt and Road Initiative loom large in the region, but there are geopolitical concerns to contend with. Could a US model manage these concerns? What is the state of regional power markets in Asia and investment in regional grid infrastructure, and what responses are we already seeing to emerging trends?

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Markets & Governance

Global Energy Forum

Jan 9, 2020

Energy sector diversification: Meeting demographic challenges in the MENA region

By Bina Hussein

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is projected to experience significant demographic growth by 2050, growth which will have to be met with commensurate economic expansion and job opportunities, or the region will risk an increase in political instability. To meet this challenge, countries in the region must diversify their economies beyond the energy sector and expand their energy sector beyond hydrocarbons. What are the key trends that MENA countries will have to contend with, what is already being done, and what further steps should be taken?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Jan 9, 2020

Transforming the power sector in developing countries: Geopolitics, poverty, and climate change in Bangladesh

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

As the South and Southeast Asian region faces increasing energy demand due to both population and economic growth, countries like Bangladesh must meet that demand while facing and overcoming critical environmental and energy security challenges. How is Bangladesh seeking to diversify its energy mix and establish more local and decarbonized power systems, and what are key opportunities for future government and foreign investment?

Bangladesh Climate Change & Climate Action

Content

New Atlanticist

Aug 11, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act sends a foreign-policy message to US friends and foes alike

By Andrea Clabough

The strategic implications of this bill can hardly be overstated. Here's why.

Climate Change & Climate Action Economy & Business

EnergySource

Aug 10, 2022

Does the Inflation Reduction Act take the right approach to shoring up clean energy supply chains?

By William Tobin, Daniel Helmeci, and Selin Kumbaraci

The IRA houses two distinct approaches to building up domestic and friendly clean energy supply chains. The approach based on incentives is likely to be more effective than the one based on penalties.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Aug 9, 2022

The balance President Biden needed: How the IRA achieves a durable energy and climate policy

By David L. Goldwyn

The Biden administration and the Democratic Party stand to benefit greatly from the passage of the IRA. The bill's balanced approach to clean energy deployment and support for the US oil and gas sector makes it a political winner.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Aug 9, 2022

These veterans are on the leading edge of the energy transition

By Veterans Advanced Energy Fellows, Cohort 3

A series of policy papers on topics related to national security and the energy transition, all written by the Atlantic Council's Veterans Advanced Energy Fellows.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Aug 8, 2022

How to build on the Inflation Reduction Act and incentivize truly clean electricity

By Ameya Hadap

The production tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act will lift up every carbon-free source of electricity in the United States. But there is no guarantee these clean energy sources will actually displace carbon from the grid. More legislation is needed to build on the bill and close the gap between clean energy deployment and carbon mitigation.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Aug 8, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act places a big bet on alternative mineral supply chains

By Reed Blakemore, Paddy Ryan

The Inflation Reduction Act's consumer electric vehicle tax credit will create strong demand for alternative minerals, sourced and processed outside of existing supply chains. The ability for these alternative supplies to meaningfully diversify mineral value chains hinges on further investment and policymaking effort.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment

UkraineAlert

Jul 30, 2022

Ukraine defies Russian invasion and advances European energy integration

By Aura Sabadus

Ukraine has more than doubled the volume of cheap electricity it can export to EU markets as the country continues to advance its European energy integration despite Russia’s ongoing invasion.

Conflict Economy & Business

AC Selects

Jul 29, 2022

AC Selects: Former US Secretary of Defense, Ukraine Minister of Defense, and Siemens CEO talk war in Ukraine

Events from week of July 22 and July 29, 2022 Over the previous two weeks, the Atlantic Council hosted Mark T. Esper, the 27th US Secretary of Defense to discuss the four-day Atlantic Council transatlantic delegation trip to Taiwan, Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine to assess the nature of Russia’s war of aggression […]

China Conflict

EnergySource

Jul 18, 2022

For Africa, economic growth and sustainability intersect

By William Tobin, Maia Sparkman

African countries stand to benefit greatly from the development of their gas resources. Doing so would increase emissions minimally in the immediate term while creating the market conditions and the infrastructure necessary for the expansive deployment of renewables.

Africa Energy & Environment
cyber threats, energy transition

Report

Jul 12, 2022

Securing the energy transition against cyber threats

By the Atlantic Council Task Force on Cybersecurity and the Energy Transition

This report recommends a suite of key actions that government can take to shore up the US energy sector against future cybersecurity threats.

Cybersecurity Energy & Environment

Experts

Events