Featured content
Coronavirus and energy events
Wed, Jun 24, 2020
Beyond lithium-ion: Charging into the future
ONLINE EVENT – An expert panel discusses the future of advanced battery technologies and energy storage in the context of the clean energy transition, geopolitics, and coronavirus.
11:00am ONLINE EVENT
Mon, Jun 15, 2020
Virtual fireside chat with H.E. Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy of the United Arab Emirates
ONLINE EVENT – H.E. Eng. Suhail Al Mazrouei discusses the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) energy strategy during the coronavirus pandemic and a period of historically low oil prices, as well as their medium- and long-term plans for energy portfolio diversification.
11:00am ONLINE EVENT
Fri, Jun 12, 2020
Virtual fireside chat with Mele Kyari, group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation: The Nigerian view on the global oil market
Mele Kyari, Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, discusses trends in Nigeria’s oil markets in the wake of COVID-19 and efforts to weather volatility during periods of low oil prices.
11:00am
Wed, May 20, 2020
Virtual fireside chat with Musabbeh Al Kaabi: COVID-19 and the future of investing in energy
ONLINE EVENT – Musabbeh Al Kaabi, CEO of Mubadala Investment Company’s Petroleum & Petrochemicals platform, discusses the changing global energy outlook in the wake of COVID-19, the growing role of ESG in the energy sector, and the importance of diversification in oil-producing countries, particularly during periods of low oil prices.
12:00pm ONLINE EVENT
Mon, Apr 6, 2020
COVID-19: Clean energy and climate impacts
ONLINE EVENT – Economic downturn, cheap oil and gas prices, and global supply chain disruptions will likely have major consequences for clean energy development and climate action in the wake of a prolonged global shutdown. Tune in as our lineup of expert panelists discusses this critical issue and prognosticates on the future.
4:00pm ONLINE EVENT
Thu, Mar 26, 2020
The Russian-Saudi oil war: $15 per barrel?
With increasing uncertainty about just how deep of a wound the novel coronavirus will inflict on the global economy, what will be the effect of a Russian-Saudi oil war?
10:00am ONLINE EVENT
Thu, Mar 26, 2020
Virtual fireside chat with Fatih Birol: COVID-19 and the future of the energy system
ONLINE EVENT – What are the medium and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on global energy markets? Join Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency for a virtual fireside chat on the future of energy markets in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
12:00pm ONLINE EVENT
Wed, Mar 11, 2020
Atlantic Council press call: Oil market meltdown: Price wars, coronavirus, and energy geopolitics
Last week’s breakdown of OPEC+ meetings in Vienna has turned a demand side driven decline in oil prices caused by the impacts of Coronavirus into an oil price war between two oil producing giants, with US shale production the ostensible target. If the standoff continues, however, the price war might ultimately do more harm to the Saudi and Russian economies. With increasing uncertainty about the depth of Coronavirus’ impact on global growth, the price war might also contribute to a sharp decline in the global economy. Helima Croft, David L. Goldwyn, Jean-Francois Seznec, Anders Aslund, and Randolph Bell discuss ongoing market volatility, the origins of the crisis, what’s next for US shale, and the implications of it all for energy and geopolitics
Event Recap
Coronavirus and energy commentary and research
Wed, Jul 8, 2020
Distributed solar and batteries will power a more inclusive economic recovery in developing countries
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.
EnergySource by Sandra Chavez
Wed, Jul 1, 2020
Start of USMCA brings hope amid COVID-19 economic crisis
“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.”
New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer
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 Mary-Rose de Valladares
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Content
Wed, Jul 8, 2020
Distributed solar and batteries will power a more inclusive economic recovery in developing countries
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.
EnergySource by Sandra Chavez
Wed, Jul 1, 2020
Start of USMCA brings hope amid COVID-19 economic crisis
“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."
New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer
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 Mary-Rose de Valladares
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
Sat, May 30, 2020
Public sector investment opportunities for a green stimulus in oil and gas
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.
EnergySource by Alex Dewar
Thu, May 28, 2020
Cooperation key to transatlantic coronavirus recovery and energy transition
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.
New Atlanticist by David A. Wemer
Wed, May 27, 2020
Turkey seems to avoid COVID-19 nightmare
In Turkey, the world's steepest coronavirus infection curve is now declining precipitously. The country can offer lessons to others as it may have found a way to keep the economy partially—or even largely—open while taming COVID-19, though there is still a way to go.
TURKEYSource by Matthew Bryza
Mon, May 18, 2020
Coronavirus emergency measures should persuade Ukraine, Romania, and Turkey to legitimize energy reform, not reverse it
For years, Eastern European governments and Turkey have bought into a global trend, arguing that long-term strategies in the energy sector should revolve around market deregulation. In light of the coronavirus outbreak and the emergency measures implemented worldwide to contain it, the energy industry may now face an increase in interventionist policies such as price controls and consolidation of state-owned enterprises as governments push to mitigate the shockwaves of expected consumer impacts. Such measures would be detrimental to economies, and there are compelling arguments that suggest governments should remain committed to their initial market goals.
EnergySource by Dr. Aura Sabadus
Fri, May 8, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis and US and EU emissions in the new decade: Opportunities for a clean energy recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sudden decline in global electricity demand of up to 20-25 percent in some countries, and the International Energy Agency (IEA) projects global electricity demand for 2020 will fall by 5-10 percent, contributing to an 8 percent overall drop in energy sector CO2 emissions. This piece updates evaluates the performance of the US and EU power sectors in 2019 within the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
EnergySource by Robert F. Ichord, Jr.
Wed, May 6, 2020
Safeguarding the Red Sea amid the coronavirus: Preventing the spill of the FSO SAFER
The global COVID-19 pandemic has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and caused unprecedented harm to the global economy. At the same time, the pandemic has diverted global attention away from other matters of concern, notably the Floating Storage and Offloading Vessel (FSO) SAFER, a converted oil tanker moored four miles off the coast of Ras Isa, Yemen, in the Red Sea continuing to degrade after years of neglect. If no action is taken, the SAFER will spill as much as 1.14 million barrels of Marib Light crude into the water. Much of the world’s activity may be on hold, but the ongoing corrosion on the SAFER is not taking a break to wait out the pandemic.
EnergySource by Dr. David Soud, Dr. Ian Ralby, and Rohini Ralby
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