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Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

Issue Brief Mar 21, 2025

To win the AI race, the US needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy

By Joseph Webster

To ensure US AI leadership, the United States must harness all forms of energy, allow a level playing field, and remove red tape constraining the buildout of critical enablers, especially transmission lines and grid enhancing technologies.
Artificial Intelligence China
Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

AfricaSource Mar 20, 2025

If the international community wants to curb fossil fuel emissions, it must make Africa a serious clean energy offer

By Neil Ford

Before the international community asks African countries to leave undeveloped fossil fuel resources in the ground, it must make them an offer of clean energy financing—one substantial enough to fund Africa’s current and future appetite for electricity.
Africa Energy & Environment
Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

EnergySource Mar 11, 2025

The Mediterranean must work collectively to harness the power of renewables

By Karim Elgendy

The EU Commission’s recent release of its Clean Industrial Deal underscored regional commitment to decarbonization. To capitalize on this momentum, the Mediterranean must engage in cross-border collaboration to overcome geopolitical tension and limited finance to achieve its renewables goals.
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

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

Online Event Tue, June 10, 2025 • 9:30 am ET

Marine energy: Harnessing the power of the Atlantic
Africa Economy & Business Energy Markets & Governance Renewables & Advanced Energy
Flagship Event Tue, June 17, 2025 • 9:00 am ET

2025 Global Energy Forum

The ninth Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum was held on June 17 and 18 in Washington, DC.
Africa Americas Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Public Event Thu, May 1, 2025 • 1:00 pm ET

Underwater mayhem: Countering NATO energy & critical infrastructure threats
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance Europe & Eurasia European Union
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Content

EnergySource

Jul 24, 2020

Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

By Stephen S. Greene

“Firm” zero-carbon generation resources, which are not necessarily intended to run all the time, but can be available at any time, will be needed to complement renewable resources in the future, without emitting the CO2 produced by today’s fossil energy system. These resources might include, for example, fossil-fuel power plants with carbon capture, nuclear power plants with improved dispatchability, geothermal power, and bio-fueled generators. But the path to developing, and certainly deploying, such resources has been slower and more fraught than for renewables; these “firm” electricity generation resources represent a missing link in the path towards a decarbonized electricity grid.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

In the News

Jul 15, 2020

Hudson joins the BBC to discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute

By Atlantic Council

Africa Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Jul 9, 2020

Cybersecurity can help the energy industry seize this moment to embrace its digital future

By Leo Simonovich and Sridhar Sudarsan

Digitally connected oil and gas assets, smart grids, renewables, and intelligent infrastructure promise more efficient, safer, and lower-emissions operations, but truly reimagining the energy sector and fully realizing that promise requires strong cybersecurity. Whether built new, acquired, or retrofitted, future energy assets will rely heavily on digital management and remote access. In these stressful but potentially exhilarating times, the winners will be those who envision more competitive business models based on new technologies.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Jul 8, 2020

Distributed solar and batteries will power a more inclusive economic recovery in developing countries

By Sandra Chavez

A reliable supply of electricity is crucial for responding to the COVID-19 health crisis and boosting economic activity. Governments in many developing countries already struggle to provide their citizens with enough high-quality electricity to satisfy demand. The additional constraints the COVID-19 crisis places upon utilities, and national economies in general, can make the delivery of reliable electricity even harder. However, distributed solar energy and battery storage can provide reliable, affordable, and pollution-free power globally, while also creating jobs that incorporate local talent—especially from groups underrepresented in the labor market such as women and low-income workers.

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

In the News

Jul 4, 2020

Younus in his podcast “Pakistonomy,” episode 24: PIA’s decline and the path ahead

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Pakistan

Press Release

Jul 1, 2020

Atlantic Council Global Energy Center announces Veterans Advanced Energy Week, August 10-13, 2020

A virtual learning experience dedicated to military veterans and spouses in advanced energy and national security

Renewables & Advanced Energy

In the News

Jun 26, 2020

Cohen in Forbes: Ukraine Cannot Stand Up To Russia Without A Modern Electric Grid
Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Jun 25, 2020

The European Commission’s hydrogen industrial strategy and COVID-19

By Mary-Rose de Valladares

As COVID-19 enveloped Europe and the Americas, Ursula van der Leyen declared clean hydrogen energy “a pillar” of the European Union (EU)’s new industrial strategy. While COVID-19 will likely have significant effects on hydrogen’s success in Europe, it has nevertheless become a top EC energy priority.

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Jun 24, 2020

Automaker electric vehicle plans ‘progressing at a rapid pace’ despite pandemic, economic downturn

By Julia Pyper

The global electric vehicle (EV) market is going through a rough patch amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The pandemic led to economy-wide lockdowns and supply chain disruptions across the automotive industry. Coupled with a historic decline in oil prices that brought down gasoline prices, these factors are likely to put a significant dent in EV sales in the near term. But automakers are not turning away from the EV market despite recent setbacks. To signal their intent, several major auto industry executives have taken steps to underscore their commitment to vehicle electrification coming out of the pandemic slump.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

May 28, 2020

Cooperation key to transatlantic coronavirus recovery and energy transition

By David A. Wemer

Continued energy cooperation between the United States and the European Union has been key in reducing Europe’s energy dependence, but now must also help guide both countries out of the coronavirus economic crisis and cut global emissions in the face of continued climate change.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus
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Experts

Staff

Natalia Storz

Program Assistant

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Fellow

Jennifer Turner

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Chinese

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

Staff

Alexis Harmon

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center

Geopolitics & Energy Security Renewables & Advanced Energy

Fellow

Mamadou Fall Kane

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Energy & Environment

Fellow

Max Adams

Veterans Advanced Energy Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Renewables & Advanced Energy
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