Renewables & Advanced Energy

Renewables & Advanced Energy

The global energy transition has been characterized by a boom in new energy sources and the emerging technologies which are powering them. These technologies are providing new opportunities for countries to meet their decarbonization goals and reshaping global energy markets and politics.

Recent analysis

Webster and Carpen quoted in the Morning Brew on the Jones Act and its implications for US offshore wind

Issue Brief Mar 3, 2026

Expanding transmission infrastructure to achieve low-cost, reliable, and abundant energy

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

With demand for electricity rising, the United States needs a long-term strategy to expand the power grid and improve energy reliability and affordability.
Energy & Environment Infrastructure
Webster and Carpen quoted in the Morning Brew on the Jones Act and its implications for US offshore wind

EnergySource Nov 25, 2025

How geothermal could enhance US energy security—if prioritized

By Paul Stahle

As electricity prices rise, US policymakers have an opportunity to accelerate geothermal’s momentum and leverage its benefits.
Energy & Environment Infrastructure
Webster and Carpen quoted in the Morning Brew on the Jones Act and its implications for US offshore wind

EnergySource Nov 17, 2025

How climate funding from governments and MDBs can scale private investment

By Ken Berlin, George Frampton

To scale up climate financing and make the most of public funding, leaders at COP30 should take action and implement bold new approaches.
Americas Brazil

Programs and initiatives

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.

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Veterans Advanced Energy Project

The Veterans Advanced Energy Project is designed to drive US leadership in advanced energy by recruiting, equipping, and empowering military veterans who understand the importance of the evolving energy landscape to our future security and prosperity.

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
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Content

In the News

Aug 25, 2023

Webster and Carpen quoted in the Morning Brew on the Jones Act and its implications for US offshore wind
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Event Recap

Aug 25, 2023

Workshop on the role of Central and Eastern Europe in European decarbonization 

By Transform Europe Initiative

The Atlantic Council co-hosted a high-level workshop on the role of Central and Eastern Europe in European decarbonization in Bratislava with GLOBSEC.

Central Europe Energy & Environment

In the News

Aug 23, 2023

Tobin joins The World to discuss how China is poised to benefit from Zimbabwe’s lithium supply
Africa China

In the News

Aug 19, 2023

Webster and Carpen quoted in The Boston Globe on issues surrounding the US’s offshore wind farms
Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

In the News

Aug 18, 2023

Tobin quoted in the Washington Examiner on Chinese investments into African mining and processing plants
Africa China
Salar de Olaroz Lithium Mine, Argentina

EnergySource

Aug 16, 2023

One year after the IRA, the hard work to build resilient mineral supply chains is only beginning

By Reed Blakemore, Paddy Ryan

Twelve months since the IRA’s bet big on alternative mineral supply chains, the clean energy commodities market is changing. Washington’s strategy must change along with it.

Critical Minerals Energy & Environment
Nordex USA wind-turbine nacelle manufacturing plant, Jonesboro, Arkansas

EnergySource

Aug 15, 2023

Post-IRA, offshore wind has become a partisan lightning rod. Here’s how to fix that.

By Joseph Webster

Linking offshore wind to complementary industries may help de-politicize the technology. The most important way for the offshore wind industry to ensure bipartisan buy-in, however, is to reduce consumer costs.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
California Home Solar

EnergySource

Aug 14, 2023

The IRA is transforming the US energy system—starting with homes

By Julia Pyper

One year after the IRA, the collective actions of households are powering a historic effort to modernize the US energy system by increasing system resilience, accelerating decarbonization, and bolstering economic stability. 

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Rooftop solar garden

EnergySource

Aug 10, 2023

Launching the IRA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund could lessen the energy burden for low-income communities

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

To maximize the benefits of the GGRF, stakeholders should prioritize projects that most reduce the energy burden in low-income communities and address the barriers to investing in low-income communities.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Man holding an incandescent bulb.

EnergySource

Aug 9, 2023

The IRA supercharged US R&D. But does it go far enough?

By William Tobin

The IRA intends to stake a claim for US leadership in decarbonization by providing much needed funding for key clean energy research programs. However, US R&D spending has still not reached parity with historical levels.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
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Experts

Fellow

Max Adams

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

Fellow

Omran Al-Kuwari

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Infrastructure

Fellow

Allison Bennett Irion

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy
Mehul Bhagat

Fellow

Mehul Bhagat

Nonresident Fellow

South Asia Center

Entrepreneurship Renewables & Advanced Energy

Fellow

George Bonner

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy

Fellow

Kevin Booher

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy
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Events

Flagship Event Tue, June 9, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

2026 Global Energy Forum

The tenth Global Energy Forum will chart the course for continued innovation, collaboration, and leadership in the global energy transition. 
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Critical Minerals