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

To deliver on IRA objectives, expand the clean energy workforce

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
To deliver on IRA objectives, expand the clean energy workforce

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
To deliver on IRA objectives, expand the clean energy workforce

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

Event Recap

Sep 25, 2018

New energy opportunities in Africa

By Africa Center and Global Energy Center

On the margins of the 73rd ordinary session of the United Nations General Assembly, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center and Global Energy Center hosted a half-day conference focusing on new opportunities for development across Africa’s energy sector. The event featured welcoming and introductory remarks by Dr. J. Peter Pham, Atlantic Council vice president and Africa […]

Africa Economy & Business

Global Energy Forum

Jan 8, 2018

Renewable energy in the Middle East

By Jean-François Seznec

Across the Middle East and North Africa, population growth is driving demand for air conditioning, water, and infrastructure, which has in turn led to more demand for electricity. While oil and gas technologies are notably developed across the Middle East and North Africa, renewable deployment and the development of a renewable technology sector, is a relatively new—and rapid—development.

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Event Recap

Jun 15, 2016

US Launch: BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2016

By Yigit Erkut

On Wednesday, June 15, 2016, the Atlantic Council hosted the U.S launch of the BP Statistical Review of World Energy 2016 with Spencer Dale, Group Chief Economist for BP. Global energy markets have entered a period of accelerating volatility. The US shale revolution has upended global oil and gas markets. Alternative energy sources are bourgeoning, […]

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas
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Content

Solar panel installation in Oregon, courtesy of OregonDOT

EnergySource

Aug 8, 2023

To deliver on IRA objectives, expand the clean energy workforce

By Paddy Ryan, Maia Sparkman

Upskilling and growing the US labor force for the clean energy transition is a must for delivering the economic and climate objectives of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

In-Depth Research & Reports

Aug 7, 2023

The on-ramp for hydrogen: The natural gas network

By Cynthia Quarterman

This Global Energy Center report examines how blending hydrogen into US gas pipelines can quickly support demand growth for this key technology for US decarbonization objectives. The report provides recommendations for how policymakers can create a favorable regulatory environment to overcome technical obstacles to scaling up hydrogen deployment.

Energy & Environment Infrastructure
Electric system in Lincoln, Nebraska

EnergySource

Aug 2, 2023

New FERC order to accelerate grid transition—but planning reform still needed

By Ken Berlin, Frank Willey

With Congress unable to adequately address permitting reform, FERC has taken the lead. FERC's new interconnection rule is a good first step to ramp up US decarbonization efforts but should be supplemented with transmission planning reform to optimize future infrastructure deployment.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

New Atlanticist

Jul 27, 2023

There’s something odd about where China is building solar power

By Joseph Webster

Beijing’s solar deployment has been wasteful from an economic and environmental perspective, but the shape of its solar build may be influenced in part by security considerations.

China Energy & Environment

In the News

Jul 27, 2023

Ellinas quoted in Trend News Agency on Azerbaijan’s opportunity to become Europe’s green hydrogen supplier
Economy & Business Energy & Environment

In the News

Jul 25, 2023

Webster quoted in The China Project on international wind trade
China Energy & Environment
A river in Denver Colorado

EnergySource

Jul 11, 2023

How cities can drive the energy transition in the Western Hemisphere

By Maia Sparkman, Willow Fortunoff

Expanding access to critical minerals and increasing manufacturing capacity is at the top of the Biden administration’s decarbonization agenda. Mayors, who have shown their ability to deliver on domestic investment projects, have begun exploring opportunities for international collaboration.

Americas Climate Change & Climate Action

Issue Brief

Jun 28, 2023

Building a biofuels industry in Africa

By Maia Sparkman, William Tobin, Maxwell Zandi

In numerous African nations, the expansion of the biofuels industry could serve as a solution, albeit a partial one, to support the interlocking imperatives of achieving universal access to modern energy services and attaining a high-growth, low-carbon economy.

Africa Energy & Environment

In the News

Jun 27, 2023

Webster in The Interpreter: Mongolia in the middle: China and Russia may split over the allure of renewables
Central Asia China

Report

Jun 26, 2023

Meaningfully advancing the green agenda

By Pepe Zhang

To sustain the ongoing recovery against short-term headwinds and boost inclusive, productive, and sustainable development in the long term, governments cannot, and should not, act alone. Private firms can help advance the green agenda by working to create green jobs, taking measures to promote a transition to a circular-economy model, and partaking in green finance.

Americas Climate Change & Climate Action
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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