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Digitalisation
Country and regional highlights
Countries are increasingly preparing their infrastructure for digitalisation
Energy
Digital technologies can help increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the energy system
CO2 emissions
Digital technologies are directly responsible for around 2% of energy-related GHG emissions today
Technology deployment
Deployment of smart meters and connected devices continues to grow
Investment
Investment in digital grid technologies accelerated in 2022
Policy
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Gas Flaring
CO2 emissions
The volumes of natural gas flared in 2022 were around the same level as in 2010
Technology deployment
Oil producers have a range of readily available options to reduce and avoid flaring, with a number of new technologies also under development
Policy
A number of countries have introduced policies to reduce flaring
Investment
Operators that sell high-flaring assets are often passing on a problem to other operators that may be less willing, or less able, to cut down on flaring
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Space Cooling
Country and regional highlights
Updated energy efficiency standards and new policies target emissions associated with space cooling
CO2 emissions
Progress on efficiency and power decarbonisation have not been sufficient to curb emissions growth from rising space cooling demand
Energy
In 2022 energy consumption for space cooling further increased by more than 5% from 2021
Activity
More than half of floor area additions to 2030 will occur in areas of the world with a high need for space cooling
Policy
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Grid-scale Storage
Country and regional highlights
Major markets target greater deployment of storage additions through new funding and strengthened recommendations
Technology deployment
Pumped-storage hydropower is still the most widely deployed storage technology, but grid-scale batteries are catching up
Innovation
While innovation on lithium-ion batteries continues, further cost reductions depend on critical mineral prices
Policy
Investment
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Electrolysers
Country and regional highlights
Progress is spread across different continents, from China, which leads on installed capacity, to the European Union, which have adopted important policies, and other regions like India and the Middle East moving forward with a small number of large-scale projects
Technology deployment
Global installed electrolyser capacity reached 1.4 GW at the end of 2023, almost double the one at the end of 2022
Technology manufacturing
Innovation
Policy
Investment
Acknowledgements
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Aluminium
Country and regional Highlights
Technological progress is being made in a range of countries, while the expected expansion of China’s emissions trading systems will be key to reducing direct emissions
CO2 emissions
Further action to reduce emissions intensity will be needed to get on track with the NZE Scenario
Energy
While the energy efficiency of aluminium production has improved, fuel switching needs to accelerate
Activity
Technology deployment
Innovation
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
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Smart Grids
Country and regional highlights
Several major economies have announced substantial new funding to modernise and digitalise their electricity grids
Deployment
Clean, reliable and resilient electricity systems need smart grids more than ever
Innovation
Digital infrastructure in electricity grids is growing
Investment
Investment in electricity grids is growing, with more ambitious network plans to facilitate the electrification of the economy and the integration of renewables
International collaboration
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District Heating
Country and regional highlights
Momentum for change is growing within the district heating industry
CO2 emissions
Decarbonisation efforts have not yet been sufficient to curb associated emissions
Energy
Despite large potential for the integration of renewable sources and recycled heat, fossil fuels dominate district heat supplies globally
Deployment
The district heating industry is transitioning to lower-temperature networks and integrating renewable energy sources
Innovation
Policy
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Biofuels
Country and regional highlights
The United States Inflation Reduction Act makes USD 9.4 billion available for biofuels
Energy
Biofuel demand increased by 6% in 2022, continuing the recent pace of growth
Technology deployment
Biofuel production technology needs to diversify to sustainably take advantage of existing waste and residue feedstocks
Innovation
Technologies that can convert woody feedstocks into biofuels need to be proven at scale in the next few years
Supporting infrastructure
Policy
Investment
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Paper
Country and regional highlights
There is growing ambition on electrifying heat in the European paper industry
CO2 emissions
Emissions intensity has seen a decade of reductions, but further effort is needed going forward
Energy
Further energy efficiency improvements and fuel switching are needed to get on track with the Net Zero Scenario
Activity
While production has been relatively flat over much of the past decade, growth in emerging economies may drive a moderate increase in the coming years
Policy