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 12, 2020

Election 2020: What’s at stake for energy policy?

By David L. Goldwyn and Andrea Clabough

As the US presidential election in November 2020 draws nearer, the energy policy platforms—including domestic energy, climate change, foreign, and trade policies—from the Democratic candidates, as well as the energy policies of a potential second Trump Administration, have become increasingly clear. The competing visions of a Republican and a Democratic administration could hardly be more disparate, and industry and external stakeholders should prepare for a volatile outlook regardless of the outcome in November 2020—what are the salient energy policies under the two scenarios and how will they address the deep and entrenched energy challenges that face the United States?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

Issue Brief

Jan 12, 2020

European energy diversification: How alternative sources, routes, and clean technologies can bolster energy security and decarbonization

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Irina Markina

The European Union’s efforts to achieve a carbon-neutral economy present a unique and timely opportunity to strengthen European energy security. What is the EU currently doing to meet its decarbonization goals, address the role of natural gas in Europe’s low-carbon future, and explain the potential for new gas sources, alternative gas routes, and clean energy technologies to reduce carbon emissions? And how can this be done while simultaneously increasing European energy security and opportunities for transatlantic cooperation?

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

Global Energy Forum

Jan 12, 2020

US Election 2020: What’s at stake for energy and climate?

Atlantic Council2020 Global Energy Forum U.S. Election 2020: What’s at Stake for Energy and Climate? Speakers: Carlos Curbelo, Former US Representative (R-FL) Avi Garbow, Environmental Advocate, Patagonia David Goldwyn, Chairman, Energy Advisory Group, Atlantic Council Michael Steele, Former Chair of the Republican National Committee Moderated By: Hadley Gamble, Reporter and Anchor, CNBC Location:  Abu Dhabi, […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy Transitions

Content

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Aug 6, 2018

Bolivia’s role in the energy transition threatened by lithium uncertainty

By Herbert Crowther

Electric vehicles (EVs) will play a central role in any potential global transition away from hydrocarbons and towards a more sustainable energy future. Projections of EV growth are widely bullish: by 2040, Bloomberg New Energy Finance projects 55 percent of new car sales and 33 percent of the global fleet will be EVs, while BP […]

Americas Energy & Environment

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jul 23, 2018

The coal phase out commission and Germany’s struggling climate leadership

By Ellen Scholl and Peter Freudenstein

This piece is the second in a series examining the opportunities and challenges facing the recently launched “Coal Exit Commission” in Germany. You can read the first piece here. Earlier this month, former vice president and climate campaigner Al Gore delivered a tough message to Germany, calling the country’s narrative of climate leadership “out of […]

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Jul 19, 2018

Puerto Rico’s electric industry transformation

By Branko Terzic

Following the tragic weather events of 2017, the state of Puerto Rico’s infrastructure, particularly energy infrastructure, has been a contentious issue. In fact, even before Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico’s electric service provider, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), had been struggling with mismanagement and teetered on the brink of financial collapse for years. The damage […]

Energy Markets & Governance Energy Transitions

Report

Jul 18, 2018

Decarbonization and peak oil demand: The role of policy in the transportation sector

By Robert J. Johnston and Hilary Novik Sandberg

What is the role of government policy in the transportation sector amidst international efforts to reduce carbon emissions and peak oil demand concerns, specifically in regard to the numerous policies and technological developments that have already been adopted or could be developed to aid the decarbonization of the transportation sector, as well as the reforms necessary to their widespread adoption?

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Jul 12, 2018

Amid government turmoil, Germany dives into effort to phase out coal

By Ellen Scholl and Peter Freudenstein

This piece is the first in a series examining the opportunities and challenges facing the recently launched “Coal Exit Commission” in Germany. It will shed some light on the context surrounding the establishment of the Commission and explain the important role coal still plays in Germany. Amid political turmoil over migration, last month Germany launched […]

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Jul 9, 2018

The UAE’s energy future: A long-term strategy beyond hydrocarbons

By Herbert Crowther

The world’s largest single-site solar park and the world’s first attempt at a carbon neutral, self-sustainable city can both be found in what might seem to be an unlikely location: the heart of the Arabian Gulf. Both projects are funded by and located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a geographically small state that holds […]

Energy Transitions Renewables & Advanced Energy

EnergySource

Jul 5, 2018

Finding nature-inspired solutions for energy use design challenges in engineering and architecture

By Peter Dean

A previous blog entry addressed the human role in containing entropy. This post examines real-world examples of addressing design challenges in engineering and architecture. Unfortunately, many engineering solutions to both past and current architectural and industrial design challenges have relied on abundant and cheap energy for their effectiveness. When energy is cheap and plentiful, using […]

Energy Transitions Technology & Innovation

EnergySource

Jun 28, 2018

Seizing advanced energy opportunities in Northeast Ohio

By David Livingston

An Atlantic Council Global Energy Center delegation, including General James Jones (Ret), Vice Admiral Lee Gunn (Ret), Amb. Richard Morningstar (Ret), former mayor of Cleveland Jane Campbell, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy Joe Bryan, recently visited Cleveland, Ohio, to better understand the city’s clean energy economy and innovation ecosystem.  During […]

Americas Energy Transitions

EnergySource

Jun 22, 2018

Manufacturing our advanced energy economy: A story from Cleveland

By David Livingston

An Atlantic Council Global Energy Center delegation, including General James Jones (Ret), Vice Admiral Lee Gunn (Ret), Amb. Richard Morningstar (Ret), former mayor of Cleveland Jane Campbell, and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy Joe Bryan, recently visited Cleveland, Ohio, to better understand the city’s clean energy economy and innovation ecosystem. During […]

Energy Transitions Renewables & Advanced Energy

EnergySource

May 14, 2018

Getting to the finish line of the global energy transition

By Debora Frodl

While it might be difficult to tell, as the lights are still on, the global electricity system is in the midst of a profound transformation—one that will impact every facet of people’s daily lives. The transformation underway will ultimately lead to an energy system that delivers more usable energy to more people across the globe […]

Energy Transitions

Experts

Events