Photo credit: www.irena.org
The 2024 edition of the International Energy Workshop (IEW) wrapped up last week in Bonn, Germany, attracting energy modelling experts from across the globe. This year, the event was hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), recognized as a cornerstone for international energy modelling research.
Since its inception in 1981, the IEW has evolved into a leading forum where analysts and thought leaders gather to compare energy projections, understand varying perspectives on future energy developments, and identify emerging trends in global energy production and consumption. The event aims to tackle the complexities of energy planning and policymaking amidst environmental and economic challenges.
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, welcomed participants, underscoring the conference’s pivotal role in the global energy transition. “For IRENA, this conference is one of the Agency’s most important links to the scientific community; every year we look forward to the cutting-edge energy modelling work that is presented here. That work is more important now than ever. The historic call at COP 28 to triple renewable power generation capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030 has set the stage for a rapid scaling up of renewables in the remainder of this decade,” said La Camera.
This year’s conference featured three plenary sessions focusing on key themes, alongside over 140 presentations in parallel sessions. Topics covered included energy supply and price projections, energy savings and efficiency, renewable and innovative energy technologies, environmental and climate policy, and the nexus of energy analysis, economics, and the natural sciences.
The first plenary session brought together experts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Electric Power Research Institute, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. They examined how climate change considerations can be integrated into contemporary models. Professor Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), emphasized in his video remarks the need for more targeted models for specific countries, regions, and sectors to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals.
The second plenary on the second day delved into the policy aspects of energy modelling. Dr. Sonia Yeh, Professor of Transport and Energy Systems at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, outlined policy recommendations to advance electric vehicle adoption, including grid management, robust charging infrastructure, and the use of big data for sustainable transformation in the transport sector.
Prof. Dr. Bjarne Steffen from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, highlighted the role of public finance in catalysing private investments and the importance of supportive policies to make renewable projects financially viable. Dr. Gunnar Lederer discussed how robust energy modelling has been pivotal in supporting the European Union’s latest climate targets.
The final plenary session focused on advancements in data for energy modelling. Experts discussed the latest developments in data collection, including machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. David McCollum, Distinguished Scientist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA, showcased the use of AI in optimizing renewable deployment in power grids.
Dr. Keigo Akimoto, Chief Researcher at the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, Japan, commented on the often-overlooked aspect of energy demand in modelling. He pointed out that digitalization, innovation, and behaviour changes have significant potential to reduce energy and resource needs at minimal costs during energy transitions.
The closing day also featured IRENA’s outlook on the costs of renewable power generation. Highlighting the significant cost reductions in solar and wind technologies, Michael Taylor, Head of Renewable Energy Costs and Outlook at IRENA, remarked, “What consistently surprises me is how remarkable the learning rates are for wind and particularly solar technology. And at a global level, these are actually accelerating.”
The 2024 IEW proved to be a crucial event, enriching the global energy modelling community with new ideas vital for navigating challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. As the world deals with the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions, the insights shared at the IEW will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for the global energy system.
Source
www.irena.org