At the 2024 ADI Forum, Brandon Schwertner, CEO, Priority Power, and Jane Zhang, Business Fellow, Breakthrough Energy, joined Uday Turaga, CEO, ADI Analytics. They had a discussion on the complexities and challenges associated with achieving a sustainable energy transition. Topics included grid reliability, renewable energy integration, and the cost of storage technologies. Global energy transition scenarios predicted moderated or even stagnating energy demand. This is driven primarily by significant improvements in energy efficiency. Historically, efficiency gains have been modest. But future scenarios required a four to eight-fold acceleration, particularly in sectors like buildings, where historical improvements have been muted. Conversely, transportation was nearing diminishing returns for further efficiency gains.
The focus of sustainability in utilities had shifted to decarbonization and grid resiliency. Small modular nuclear reactors were garnering interest as a new product offering. However, they faced significant hurdles related to cost, schedule, permitting, and feedstock. Furthermore, surging electricity demand, particularly from device electrification, highlighted challenges in grid interconnection and capacity. This is despite regional advantages like Texas’ low power costs. Solar installations were booming due to economic incentives. In contrast, battery storage faced headwinds due to high costs and bearish market signals. However, new, non-lithium technologies are emerging for long-duration storage.
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ADI is a prestigious, boutique consulting firm specializing in oil and gas, energy transition, and chemicals since 2009. We bring deep expertise in a broad range of markets where we support Fortune 500, mid-sized and early-stage companies, and investors with consulting services, research reports, and data and analytics, with the goal of delivering actionable outcomes to help our clients achieve tangible results.
We also host the ADI Forum that brings c-suite executives together for meaningful dialogue and strategic insights across the oil & gas, energy transition, and chemicals value chains. Learn more about the ADI Forum https://www.adi-analytics.com/forum/.
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