International Energy Workshop 2024: Insights on Modeling & Renewables | Bonn

The 2024 International Energy Workshop (IEW), a pivotal event for the global energy modeling community, recently concluded in Bonn, Germany.

Hosted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), this year’s conference convened a diverse assembly of energy modeling professionals from around the world.

Since its inception in 1981, the IEW has transformed into a preeminent platform for analysts and thought leaders to exchange insights, compare quantitative energy projections, and dissect differing perspectives on the future of energy.

The conference delves into the intricate challenges of energy planning and policymaking within the context of environmental and economic constraints.

Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, welcomed participants and underscored the conference’s critical role in the global energy transition.

He emphasized the significance of the cutting-edge energy modeling work presented at the IEW, particularly in light of the ambitious goals set at COP 28 to triple renewable power generation capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030.

This year’s conference featured three plenary sessions exploring key themes, along with over 140 parallel presentations.

The topics ranged from energy supply and price projections to 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 focused on integrating climate change considerations into energy models. Experts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, Electric Power Research Institute, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change examined the latest approaches.

Professor Jim Skea, Chair of the IPCC, emphasized the need to move beyond traditional models and adopt a more targeted approach to address specific countries, regions, and sectors in line with the Paris Agreement’s climate goals.

The second plenary delved into the policy aspects of energy modeling. Dr. Sonia Yeh, Professor of Transport and Energy Systems at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, presented policy recommendations to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

Prof. Dr. Bjarne Steffen from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, highlighted the importance of public finance in catalyzing private investments and supporting policies for renewable energy projects. Dr. Gunnar Lederer illustrated the pivotal role of robust energy modeling in shaping the European Union’s latest climate target.

The third plenary session explored the latest advancements in data gathering for energy modeling, including the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. David McCollum, Distinguished Scientist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA, highlighted the application of AI in optimizing renewables deployment in power grids.

Dr. Keigo Akimoto, Chief Researcher at the Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth, Japan, emphasized the potential of digitalization, innovation, and behavior change to reduce energy and resource needs significantly.

The conference concluded with IRENA’s insights into the declining costs of solar and wind technologies. Michael Taylor, Head of Renewable Energy Costs and Outlook at IRENA, highlighted the remarkable learning rates and acceleration of cost reductions at the global level.

The 2024 IEW served as a crucial catalyst for the global energy modeling community, enriching it with new ideas and perspectives to navigate the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector. The insights shared at the conference will undoubtedly contribute to shaping a sustainable and resilient future for the global energy system.

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