INSIGHT
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Infranode: The Nordic energy transition is poised for growth
The Nordic region is in a great position to work towards complete decarbonisation, but the focus now must be on scaling up local infrastructure, says Infranode’s investment director and head of sustainability Johan Tiselius.
Energy Transition A-Z
The energy transition used to be a niche interest, but now there is a veritable dictionary’s worth of subsectors, a selection of which are covered here.
A is for… Artificial intelligence
AI’s rise imperils the energy transition, but it could also be part of the solution, writes Christopher Walker.
B is for… Batteries
Smaller may be better: Smart technology and more EVs coming online could limit the need for battery systems and flexibility assets.
C is for… Carbon capture and storage
Scaling up the technology is the next challenge as regulatory support boosts investor appetite.
D is for… District heating
By retrofitting district heating networks with green energy sources, decarbonisation can be greatly accelerated.
E is for… Emissions trading
The ability to offset carbon emissions from hard-to-abate sectors through either compliance or voluntary trading markets is a critical component of the energy transition.
F is for… Floating solar
The niche technology is perfectly suited to jurisdictions where space is at a premium.
G is for… Geothermal
Hope is growing that the technology could play a more prominent role in the energy transition.
H is for… Hydrogen
Geologists and governments are getting excited about naturally occurring hydrogen, but huge sums may be required to get it to scale.
I is for… Interconnectors
Interconnections are poised to enhance grid stability and reliability as the net-zero energy mix grows.
J is for… Just transition
Pushback on moving to a low-carbon economy may be a sign that governments and investors are not paying enough attention to a just transition.
K is for… Potassium
Pressures on lithium supply are prompting interest in alternative battery technologies.
L is for… LNG
Uncertain market conditions, the COP28 agreement and the US’s recent decision to halt LNG exports signal that the lifespan of some of these assets may be shorter than assumed.
M is for… Methane
The energy sector has a methane problem and needs to take urgent action.
N is for… Nuclear energy
Demonised by some and viewed as the only reliable route to decarbonisation by others, nuclear power could be bolstered by small modular reactors.
O is for… Offshore wind
Progress in developing offshore wind in Asia-Pacific has been mixed, amid an uncertain outlook for the sector.
P is for… Pumped hydro
Pumped storage hydropower has plenty of potential, particularly for countries such as the UK where flexible capacity is so important, writes Christopher Walker
Q is for… Quitting fossil fuels
Appetite for traditional oil and gas is set to slump as the energy transition takes effect
R is for… Recycling
Waste management is critical to the creation of a more sustainable planet
S is for… Smart grids
Ensuring electricity generated by renewable energy sources can get to points of consumption is crucial to making the energy transition work, but investors face many challenges
T is for… Timberland
An agreement between UK-based Drax and Molpus Woodlands Group shows how forestry’s role in the energy transition is all about byproduct
U is for… Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine highlighted the EU’s reliance on Russia for fossil fuels, leading to a surge of funding for the energy transition. Beth Ure explores how things have changed two years into the conflict
V is for… Vehicles
The electrification of road transport requires upscaling charging infrastructure dramatically, but other forms of transport cannot be left behind in the race to net zero
W is for… Waste-to-energy
Removing waste from landfill to generate heat is a compelling proposition, but must ultimately be coupled with carbon capture technology
X is for… Power-to-X
Electrification alone won’t get us to net zero, so power-to-X has a role to play.
Y is for… Yttrium
Difficult-to-source materials are necessary to build the infrastructure that will decarbonise the world, but sustainability issues abound, writes Beth Ure.
Z is for… Zero emissions
The climate is changing faster than we originally anticipated and the window to arrest further heating is narrowing.