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Coronavirus & energy
EnergySource Innovation Stream
Virtual fireside chat series
Upcoming events
The Global Energy Center regularly convenes government, industry, civil society, and public stakeholders to discuss pragmatic solutions to the challenges presented by the rapidly changing energy landscape, working to enhance energy security for countries and individuals around the world.
Commentary & analysis
Working with a wide-ranging community of experts and stakeholders, the Global Energy Center provides timely commentary and analysis on the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing global energy landscape.
Thu, Jun 25, 2020
The European Commission’s hydrogen industrial strategy and COVID-19
On March 10, 2020, as COVID-19 enveloped Europe and the Americas, European Commission (EC) President Ursula van der Leyen declared clean hydrogen energy “a pillar” of the European Union (EU)’s new industrial strategy. Van der Leyen identified the “Green Transition” as a key driver of the strategy, the EU’s blueprint for growth and global competitiveness. While COVID-19 will likely have significant effects on hydrogen’s success in Europe, hydrogen has nevertheless become a top EC energy priority. Even amid a global pandemic, it is likely to stay that way thanks to the EC’s progressive policymaking.
EnergySource by
Wed, Jun 24, 2020
Automaker electric vehicle plans ‘progressing at a rapid pace’ despite pandemic, economic downturn
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.
EnergySource by Julia Pyper
Wed, Jun 24, 2020
Rapid response: The SABIC-Aramco merger
Saudi Aramco’s acquisition of the Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) finalized on June 16, 2020, provides a window into the Saudi strategy to become a world-scale chemicals producer. However, the structure of the deal also offers an interesting look into the Saudi financial position amid low oil prices and a global pandemic.
EnergySource by Jean-François Seznec
Tue, Jun 23, 2020
How can Portugal’s Port of Sines play a bigger role in assuring energy security in the European Union?
The European Union (EU) currently relies on a small number of external suppliers to meet its energy needs. To minimize reliance on foreign gas imports, the EU should increase liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to Europe, expand gas storage capacity, and further develop energy distribution mechanisms across Member States. As a potential alternative energy hub, Sines, Portugal is in an excellent position to become an important continental European LNG entrance point as well as a key gas distribution and bunkering center. If the pieces fall into place, Sines, and Portugal writ large, may become key guarantors of European energy security.
EnergySource by
In-depth research & reports
Leveraging its broad network of experts, the Global Energy Center produces in-depth research and reports to help governments, industry, and civil society understand and navigate the changing global energy landscape, with the ultimate goal of helping shape a world with secure and sustainable energy.
Tue, May 26, 2020
European energy security and the critical role of transatlantic energy cooperation
Transatlantic cooperation is essential to European energy security, which is and should remain a key national security priority for the United States. European energy security is crucial for the maintenance of a strong European economy and for European political stability, both of which are in the best interests of the United States. This report recommends that the United States and the EU focus their energy cooperation in several areas that will benefit the EU’s efforts to meet climate targets and that, at the same time, will also bolster energy security.
Report by Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Jennifer T. Gordon
Sat, May 16, 2020
Downstream oil theft: Countermeasures and good practices
Downstream oil theft has become a global problem. Since most of the world’s energy systems still rely on oil, fuel smugglers are nearly always able to find markets for their goods. Moreover, as oil is not inherently illegal, it is generally an easy product to move, buy, and sell. Profits from oil theft are frequently used to fund terrorism and other illegal activities.
Report by
Thu, Apr 30, 2020
Sustainable aviation fuel policy in the United States: A pragmatic way forward
Aviation’s reliance on fossil fuels, its expected future growth rates, and the service lifespan of aircraft make it a difficult section of the transportation sector to decarbonize.
Report by
Current projects
Global Energy Forum
The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum is the premiere international gathering of government, industry, and thought leaders to set the energy agenda for the year.
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.
Women Leaders in Energy Fellowship
The Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s Women Leaders in Energy Fellowship is a one-year fellowship program for early to mid-career rising female leaders in the energy and climate field with an interest in policy.
Topical issues
Climate and Advanced Energy
The Climate and Advanced Energy Program works to understand, explain, and shape the search for power and prosperity in a decarbonizing world.
European Energy Security
The European Energy Security project aims to evaluate how the United States and the European Union could cooperate to strengthen transatlantic energy security.
Nuclear Energy
The Global Energy Center’s work on nuclear energy produces research and programming that analyzes the nexus between nuclear power and national security, as well as the role of nuclear power in the energy transition.
Global Energy 2050
The Global Energy 2050 Project examines the impact of potential future energy mix scenarios on geopolitics, energy markets, and geo-economics. Through a process of modeling the interactions of key drivers and energy consumption phenomena and production at country, regional, and global levels, the project builds scenarios to investigate broad geopolitical and market impacts across different timescales and test policy options which seize opportunities and minimize risk.
Downstream Oil Theft
The Downstream Oil Theft initiative aims to identify and assess the various ways oil theft occurs and provide recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to combat oil theft moving forward.
Oil & Gas
Even in a more carbon-conscious world, oil and gas will continue to play a significant role in the global energy system. From petrochemicals to power generation, oil and gas technologies will be a central player in the “dual challenge” of meeting increased energy demand and the need for low-carbon energy, making oil and gas still critical for international trade, investment, and geopolitics.
Center staff
Apply for the Veterans Advanced Energy Fellowship
Energy Advisory Group
The Atlantic Council’s Energy Advisory Group (EAG) comprises a small number of the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s highest-level partners and stakeholders. The EAG meets at least twice each year to discuss the GEC’s vision and strategy, and it remains in close contact with the GEC’s founding chairman and director throughout the year to provide guidance on areas of growth, programming, and fundraising. The EAG is chaired by David Goldwyn, former US Department of State special envoy and coordinator for international energy affairs.
Spotlight: 2020 Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi | January 10 – 12, 2020
Held Under the Patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces.
The Atlantic Council Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi is the premier international gathering of government, industry, and thought leaders to set the global energy agenda for the year and anticipate and respond to the dramatic changes in the world of energy. Convened in partnership with the Ministry of Energy of the United Arab Emirates, ADNOC, and Mubadala, the forum is part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
Thu, Jan 9, 2020
Energy sector diversification: Meeting demographic challenges in the MENA region
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?
Sat, Jan 11, 2020
Climate commitments needed to head off threats of volatility and instability
A widening gap between perceptions and reality of the global energy markets could increase volatility as governments, policy makers, and industries struggle to tackle climate change, according to Fatih Birol, the executive director of the International Energy Agency.
New Atlanticist by
Sun, Jan 12, 2020
Gas in the energy transition: Bridge or the destination?
“There are some who believe that gas should play no role in the global energy mix,” Ambassador Richard Morningstar, founding chairman of the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center, said at the introduction of a panel on the future of gas at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Forum hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on January 12, 2020. At the other end of the spectrum, he added, some have “called gas a destination fuel that provides a clean baseload energy needed for the developed world to grow.”
New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer
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