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Renewables for Industry
…with increasing deployment of renewable electricity supply, can deliver multiple benefits. In addition to reducing fossil fuel use and associated emissions, it can improve energy security by lowering exposure to volatile gas and oil prices and, when integrated with thermal storage, it can create demand flexibility that helps ensure a higher share of variable renewable generation.This report explores how to expand the role of renewables in the industrial energy mix through electrification of low-temperature heat and steam. It focuses on the European Union, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), examining their techno-economic potential and…
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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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State of Energy Policy 2026
The IEA State of Energy Policy 2026 report provides with a unique review of policy progress made in 2025 across all energy sectors and instruments, with a special focus on government spending, energy efficiency regulations, and the contribution of the energy sector to nationally determined contributions and long-term net zero pledges.This year’s report brings an extensive examination of energy security policies to the period 1973-2025, from oil and natural gas to clean energy technology supply chains and critical minerals. It also spotlights the policy momentum around energy access, most particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, taking stock…
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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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Vehicle-to-grid technology
…V2G) technology enables EVs to provide grid‑stabilisation services through bidirectional power flow. Realising this potential, however, requires widespread deployment of V2G‑compatible vehicles and chargers, multiparty interoperable communication protocols, as well as supportive testing regimes, regulatory frameworks, and financial incentives.Through controlled charging and discharging, EV batteries become flexible assets for energy storage rather than mere loads to the grid. There are varying degrees of flexibility. With unidirectional smart charging (V1G), the charging power can be modulated to align electricity demand with generation profiles or to alleviate grid congestion. With vehicle-to-building (V2H/V2B), the EV can additionally discharge energy…
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World Energy Employment 2025
The World Energy Employment (WEE) report series provides comprehensive tracking and analysis of the global energy workforce, including estimates of its size and distribution across regions, sectors, and technologies. It also assesses how energy labour requirements evolve to 2035 across all IEA scenarios.The WEE 2025 – the fourth edition – examines how skilled labour needs and shortages have changed since the series first highlighted these issues in 2022, and explores their implications for education and training systems, wages, policy, and the global buildout of energy infrastructure. This year’s report introduces, for the first time, detailed occupation-level estimates that offer…
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Renewables 2025
Analysis and forecasts to 2030 Renewables 2025 Renewables 2025 is the IEA's main annual report on the sector. It presents the latest forecasts and analysis, based on recent policy and market developments, while also exploring key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.This year’s edition provides forecasts for the deployment of renewable energy technologies in electricity, transport and heat through 2030. It also examines notable developments in key areas of the sector, including policy changes, manufacturing trends, and the financial health of different parts of the industry.
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Policy Toolbox for Industrial Decarbonisation
The Policy Toolbox for Industrial Decarbonisation is a repository of policy instruments available to assist governments as they design, develop and implement their strategies for industrial decarbonisation. This work, undertaken as part of the Climate Club's Work Programme, builds on the policy toolbox outlined in IEA’s 2022 Achieving Net Zero Heavy Industry Sectors in G7 Members report, with the addition of further details on the instruments and considerations for implementation.A robust industrial decarbonisation policy strategy is likely to include multiple different instruments, as governments choose the instruments that are most suited to their individual circumstances and objectives…
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Grid investments
…years to build on average, depending on technology, or over a decade for nuclear. Key analysis IEA analysis of nine major regions shows that increasing electricity generation and grid capacity by one terawatt-hour (TWh), will require investments of USD 30 to 110 million in emerging economies and USD 75 to 150 million in advanced economies. In order to save the same amount of electricity, energy efficiency measures would cost only between USD 10 million and 50 million. A closer look at grid management The deployment of energy efficiency measures typically requires less time than the implementation of most new generation and grid infrastructure. On average…
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Gaining an Edge
…creation, energy efficiency helps firms compete amid high costs, growing demand, and rising trade pressures. In today’s global context, energy efficiency is not only a matter of energy policy, but also of economic policy.The report analyses historical progress in industrial energy efficiency and its role in enhancing industrial competitiveness. It includes comparisons of firm-level energy efficiency, identifying performance gaps and opportunities for further improvement. Drawing on a new IEA survey of 1 000 firms across 14 countries, it provides insights into industry perspectives. The report also highlights emerging opportunities in energy efficiency markets and offers recommendations for policymakers…
