UK: IEA Releases Report on Status of Clean Energy Technologies

The International Energy Agency (IEA) launched its 2012 Tracking Clean Energy Progress report at the third Clean Energy Ministerial in London.

The report measures progress in the global development and deployment of energy-efficient and clean energy technologies in the industry, building, power generation, and transport sectors. The report also analyzes each technology’s chances of achieving the Energy Technology Perspectives 2012 2°C (2DS) objectives—which outline how each technology can make a difference in limiting global temperature rise to2°C above preindustrial levels—by 2050; identifies barriers and enablers to the technology’s increased deployment; and provides specific recommendations for increasing the technology’s market presence.

Key Findings

The report notes that while some clean energy technologies, such as onshore wind and solar photovoltaics, have made significant progress and are on track to meet the 2DS objectives, the technologies that could lead to the greatest energy and carbon dioxide emissions savings are progressing at the slowest pace. The rates of investment for full-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects are insufficient, and inefficient technology is used in almost half of new coal-fired power plants. Furthermore, vehicle fuel efficiency is not improving as rapidly as desired, and there are untapped opportunities for energy efficiency improvements in the building and industry sectors.

The report states that governments must create and preserve business environments that support low-carbon energy technologies in order for private-sector financing to reach sufficient levels.

Recommendations

The report encourages energy ministers to increase international collaboration and support national clean energy technology goals. The report also states that the following recommendations and supporting actions will help clean energy technologies gain a better foothold in the mainstream market:

• Level the playing field for clean energy technologies
• Price energy appropriately and encourage investment in clean energy technology
• Develop policies to address energy systems as a whole
• Step up to the CCS challenge
• Unlock the potential of energy efficiency
• Implement energy efficiency policies and enhance energy efficiency standards
• Leverage the role of energy providers in delivering energy efficiency
• Accelerate energy innovation and public research, development, and demonstration

[mappress]

Offshore WIND staff, April 26, 2012