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Coronavirus and energy commentary and research

EnergySource

Mar 10, 2021

The pandemic and electricity transformation in the United States and the European Union: Developments in 2020

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Electricity sector developments in 2020 demonstrated the key role of renewables and nuclear power in achieving President Biden’s goal of realizing “a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035” and the EU’s target of 55 percent emissions reduction by 2030. But it also reinforced the magnitude of the challenge ahead, with fossil fuels still representing 60 percent of the power generation mix in the United States and 37 percent in the European Union, as well as the importance of pursuing an aggressive sustainable recovery plan to avoid a rebound in emissions.

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

ACFrontPage

Sep 25, 2020

The ‘big three’ now rule the global energy market, says Daniel Yergin

By Katherine Walla

Pulitzer Prize winner and energy expert Daniel Yergin’s insights into the progress of the energy transition worldwide are pivotal with the 2020 elections around the corner and the pandemic that has disrupted the energy industry.

China Coronavirus

Elections 2020

Sep 17, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Energy

By Global Energy Center

As the US presidential election looms, the oil and gas industry has suffered from demand shocks during the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change is increasingly in the list of top concerns of US citizens, and there is little overlap between the likely policies of the two presidential candidates.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2020

Experts react: Von der Leyen outlines vision for Europe’s post-COVID future

By Atlantic Council

Von der Leyen used her first State of the European Union Address to push European leaders to “make change happen by design—not by disaster or by diktat from others in the world.” Atlantic Council experts react to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s speech and its implications for future EU policy.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

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

Coronavirus and energy events

Public Event Wed, June 24, 2020 • 11:00 am ET

Beyond lithium-ion: Charging into the future
Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus Energy & Environment Geopolitics & Energy Security
Public Event Mon, June 15, 2020 • 11:00 am ET

Virtual fireside chat with H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy of the United Arab Emirates
Coronavirus Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security Middle East
Fri, June 12, 2020 • 11:00 am ET

Virtual fireside chat with Mele Kyari, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation: The Nigerian view on the global oil market
Coronavirus Energy Markets & Governance Geopolitics & Energy Security Nigeria
Atlantic Council’s Coronavirus coverage

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Global Energy Center

The Global Energy Center promotes energy security by working alongside government, industry, civil society, and public stakeholders to devise pragmatic solutions to the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing global energy landscape.

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EnergySource

Mar 10, 2021

The pandemic and electricity transformation in the United States and the European Union: Developments in 2020

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

Electricity sector developments in 2020 demonstrated the key role of renewables and nuclear power in achieving President Biden’s goal of realizing “a carbon pollution-free electricity sector by 2035” and the EU’s target of 55 percent emissions reduction by 2030. But it also reinforced the magnitude of the challenge ahead, with fossil fuels still representing 60 percent of the power generation mix in the United States and 37 percent in the European Union, as well as the importance of pursuing an aggressive sustainable recovery plan to avoid a rebound in emissions.

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

ACFrontPage

Sep 25, 2020

The ‘big three’ now rule the global energy market, says Daniel Yergin

By Katherine Walla

Pulitzer Prize winner and energy expert Daniel Yergin's insights into the progress of the energy transition worldwide are pivotal with the 2020 elections around the corner and the pandemic that has disrupted the energy industry.

China Coronavirus

Elections 2020

Sep 17, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Energy

By Global Energy Center

As the US presidential election looms, the oil and gas industry has suffered from demand shocks during the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change is increasingly in the list of top concerns of US citizens, and there is little overlap between the likely policies of the two presidential candidates.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Sep 16, 2020

Experts react: Von der Leyen outlines vision for Europe’s post-COVID future

By Atlantic Council

Von der Leyen used her first State of the European Union Address to push European leaders to “make change happen by design—not by disaster or by diktat from others in the world.” Atlantic Council experts react to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s speech and its implications for future EU policy.

Climate Change & Climate Action Coronavirus

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

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2020

Start of USMCA brings hope amid COVID-19 economic crisis

By David A. Wemer

“Together, Canada, Mexico and the United States make North America an energy, manufacturing, and innovation powerhouse," Damon Wilson says. "The USMCA helps unlock this potential, offering greater prosperity for these nations' citizens and positioning democracies in North America to better shape global standards and compete with China."

Coronavirus 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

EnergySource

May 30, 2020

Public sector investment opportunities for a green stimulus in oil and gas

By Alex Dewar

In discussions about COVID-19 economic recovery policies, any measures focused on the oil and gas industry are often portrayed as being at odds with a green stimulus. However, a green stimulus within the oil and gas industry is not necessarily a contradiction in terms. Targeted public sector investments in oil and gas activities—especially in the areas of reducing methane emissions, improving energy efficiency, and deploying carbon capture—can curb greenhouse gas emissions significantly and at relatively low costs while maximizing broader near-term economic benefits.

Coronavirus Energy & Environment

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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