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Integrating Distributed Energy Resources in China
Lessons from international experience Like no other country in the world, the People’s Republic of China (hereafter, “China”) is witnessing rapid growth in distributed energy resources (DERs), including rooftop solar photovoltaics, battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. As China advances towards its carbon peaking and neutrality goals, these resources offer a unique opportunity to support a more flexible, efficient and resilient power system, provided their integration is well-managed.This report analyses recent trends in DER deployment across China and highlights the emerging challenges their growth poses for power system planning and operation, calling for renewed attention to…
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Cost of Capital Observatory
Tracking the cost of capital for clean energy projects in emerging and developing economies The Cost of Capital Observatory is an initiative from the IEA, the World Economic Forum, ETH Zurich and Imperial College London. The aim of the Observatory is to increase transparency in the energy sector and inspire investor confidence, especially in emerging and developing countries where data on financing costs is scarcer.The Observatory is divided into three sections:A Dashboard that provides free data on the cost of capital for energy projects in emerging and developing economies, updated with 2023 and 2024 data in July and…
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India Bioenergy Market Report
Outlook for liquid and gaseous biofuels to 2030 As demand for renewable energy grows in India, liquid and gaseous biofuels are expected to be one of the fastest-growing markets, driven by significant feedstock potential and supportive policies. These fuels can provide low-emission energy in heat, electricity and transport. They can also be produced domestically reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, improve energy security, and create economic development and employment opportunities.This report examines the current supply and demand of liquid and gaseous biofuels in India and their forecasted growth to 2030. It provides a detailed assessment of existing…
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Efficient Grid-Interactive Buildings in India
Status and opportunities This report assesses the opportunities for efficient grid-interactive buildings (EGIBs) to support India’s clean energy transition. EGIBs unite energy efficiency, smart digital technologies and demand-side flexibility, allowing them to optimise energy use, shift or reduce peak demand and better align consumption with renewable energy generation.The buildings sector is central to clean energy transitions in a context where rapidly increasing electricity demand is driven by cooling and appliance use, and the share of variable renewable energy in electricity generation is continuously growing. Without targeted action, unmanaged peak loads and variable supply could jeopardise grid…
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Energy Efficiency in China’s Buildings Sector
…The buildings sector accounts for approximately 20% of its total final energy consumption and its intensity has decreased at a slower rate. There remains significant potential to unlock further energy savings through technical and policy initiatives in buildings.This report outlines opportunities for actions, targets and timelines that could improve energy efficiency in China's buildings sector. It includes an analysis of the country’s current buildings energy efficiency policies and the data that tracks progress in achieving them. Regulation for new buildings in China, such as building codes, is relatively strong. However, as the rate of construction is slowing…
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China’s Official Energy Finance in Emerging and Developing Economies
…state-owned commercial banks and export credit agencies have taken on a larger role, increasingly through equity investments or guarantees. This shift suggests a move towards a more competitive – yet still state-directed – model of international energy engagement.These changes reflect a financing system adapting to new domestic and global circumstances rather than a withdrawal from China’s overseas energy activity. For clean energy deployment in particular, the evolving pattern presents both opportunities – including expanded equity participation and greater risk-sharing – and challenges linked to uneven availability of concessional or long-tenor finance.This report maps and analyses these changes…
