7 June 2017
Publications Explore Technology, Power System Transformations
UN Photo/Pasqual Gorriz
story highlights

The IEA issued a report titled, ‘Energy Technology Perspectives 2017: Catalysing Energy Technology Transformations,' which also features the annual IEA ‘Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2017’ report.

IRENA released a report titled, ‘Biofuel Potential in Southeast Asia: Raising food yields, reducing food waste and utilising residues’.

The UN Research Institute for Social Development, International Institute for Sustainable Development and Geneva Environment Network held a panel discussion on the technological, environmental, social, economic and political implications of the energy transition in light of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

6 June 2017: The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have issued several reports providing updates on issues ranging from energy technology transformations and clean energy progress to power system transformation and regional biofuel potential.

In other energy-related news, a panel discussion, held ahead of the Swiss popular vote on 21 May 2017 on Switzerland’s proposed Energy Strategy 2050, explored linkages between energy transition and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The IEA issued a report titled, ‘Energy Technology Perspectives 2017: Catalysing Energy Technology Transformations’ (ETP 2017), which outlines opportunities and challenges associated with scaling and accelerating the deployment of clean energy technologies. ETP 2017 analyzes the extent to which clean energy technologies could move the energy sector towards higher climate change ambition, with technological innovations pushed to their maximum limits. The report emphasizes the need for policy action to ensure that the benefits of accelerated deployment of clean energy technologies are realized. The report is therefore relevant to SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), in particular target 7.2 (By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix), and SDG 13 (climate action).

ETP 2017 also features the annual IEA ‘Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2017’ report, which highlights the lack of progress in clean energy technology development and deployment. It notes that while progress has been substantial where policies have provided clear signals on the value of technology innovation, many technology areas could benefit from financial and policy support. [Publication: Energy Technology Perspectives 2017: Catalysing Energy Technology Transformations Executive Summary] [Tracking Clean Energy Progress 2017] [Publications Landing Page] [IEA Press Release]

In other IEA news, the Agency and partners have released a report titled, ‘Status of Power System Transformation 2017,’ which provides an overview of current trends on the integration of renewables and local grid development. It examines a broad set of recent power system interventions and applies a framework for assessing the status of power system transformation to selected countries, including Indonesia, South Africa, Mexico and Australia. The framework examines four aspects of power system transformation: markets and operations; planning and infrastructure; uptake of innovative technology; and efficiency and sector coupling. [Publication: Status of Power System Transformation 2017] [Publication Landing Page] [IEA Press Release]

Focusing on a single type of renewable energy, the IRENA has issued a report titled, ‘Biofuel Potential in Southeast Asia: Raising food yields, reducing food waste and utilising residues.’ The report outlines estimates of biomass resource potential for Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. According to the publication, conversion to advanced liquid biofuels could potentially result in sustainable biomass feedstock covering two-fifths of the region’s projected needs for transport fuel, provided that less is diverted to residential heating and cooking. The report offers options for fulfilling the region’s biofuel potential through, inter alia, increased residue collection from food crops and forest products, intensified cultivation of farmland, and reducing waste and losses in the food chain. These actions would contribute to the SDGs 2 (zero hunger), 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 12 (responsible consumption and production), in particular target 12.3 (By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses). [Publication: Biofuel Potential in Southeast Asia: Raising Food Yields, Reducing Food Waste and Utilising Residues] [Publication Landing Page]

Also highlighting the links between the SDGs and the clean energy transition, the UN Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Geneva Environment Network (GEN) held a panel discussion on the technological, environmental, social, economic and political implications of the energy transition in light of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development. The discussion took place in Geneva, Switzerland, on 9 May 2017. [UNRISD Press Release] [UNRISD Seminar Series Webpage]

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