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Renewables 2022 Renewable heat
Recent trends and policy update Heating is the world’s largest energy end use, accounting for almost half of global final energy consumption. Industrial processes are responsible for 53% of the final energy consumed for heat, while another 44% is used in buildings for space and water heating and, to a lesser extent, cooking. The remainder is used in agriculture, primarily for greenhouse heating. The heating sector is largely dominated by fossil fuels, with renewable energy sources meeting less than one-quarter of global heat demand in 2021 (and the traditional use of biomass makes up half this amount).With…
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Artificial intelligence and EVs
GEVO 2026 - Chapter 8 Progress in AI and computing power is disproportionately benefiting EVs, particularly for automated driving and integrated vehicle control. Sensors and chips integrate well with the stable, high-voltage power supply of EV batteries. At the same time, the benefits of AI and increased computing power are not exclusive to EVs. AI‑enabled energy management systems are increasingly used to optimise hybrid vehicles, and AI techniques are accelerating the design, testing and optimisation of all vehicles. Advances in AI underpin progress in autonomous vehicles Just two decades ago, state-of-the-art autonomous vehicles were confined to test…
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Electricity Mid-Year Update 2025
Despite a slowdown in global economic growth prospects, the world’s electricity consumption increased strongly in the first half of 2025, driven by rising demand from industry, appliances, cooling, data centres and electrification. At the same time, electricity supply from renewables, natural gas and nuclear continues to grow, with all set to reach new milestones.This mid-year update follows the extensive Electricity 2025 report released in February, examining the latest trends and the outlook for the remainder of the year. It includes updated data for 2024 along with new forecasts for 2025 and 2026 covering areas such as global…
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Ultra-fast charging batteries
GEVO 2026 - Chapter 8 New power‑electronics materials, battery cell technologies and battery pack architectures are enabling more efficient, higher‑voltage – and therefore faster – charging systems. Advances in batteries and power electronics are improving EV performance Over the past decade, average EV battery pack energy density (Wh/kg) has increased by around 60%, while prices have fallen by roughly 75%. Moreover, in 2023, battery-related patents accounted for 40% of all energy-sector patents, suggesting that more developments are still to come. At the same time, new power‑electronics materials, battery cell technologies and battery pack architectures are enabling more efficient, higher‑voltage – and…
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Global Energy Review 2026 Technology: Battery storage
Battery storage is the fastest growing power technology today. In 2025, 108 GW of new battery storage capacity was deployed worldwide, 40% more than in 2024. Installed capacity is now eleven times higher than in 2021. Lithium‑iron phosphate (LFP) batteries now account for around 90% of deployments; while less energy‑dense than rival chemistries commonly used in EVs, LFP batteries are typically cheaper and better suited to more frequent cycling. Just five years ago, the market share of LFP batteries in deployments was well below 50%. Around 80% of new battery capacity in 2025 was utility‑scale. The remainder was behind-the…
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Global battery markets are growing strongly – and so are the supply risks
part 1- lithium-ion batteries Batteries’ importance is increasing across key sectors including autos, power, data centres and beyond The global lithium-ion battery market exceeded USD 150 billion in 2025, an increase of over 20% from 2024, but its economic and strategic significance extends far beyond market size. Batteries are becoming a cornerstone of the automotive sector, a critical source of flexibility for power systems, and an increasingly important source of back-up power for digital infrastructure, including data centres and artificial intelligence.Beyond energy, batteries remain indispensable for a wide range of industrial and strategic applications, from portable…
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The Value of Demand Flexibility
Benefits beyond balancing This policy brief, developed under the International Energy Agency’s Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) Initiative, examines the value of demand flexibility as a core component of modern electricity systems, with a strong emphasis on its role in improving energy efficiency. As electricity demand grows and power systems become more electrified, decentralised and renewable-rich, managing when and how electricity is used is increasingly as important as expanding supply.The brief sets out a clear framework for understanding demand flexibility and highlights its contribution to an efficiency-first approach to power system planning and operation. By…
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Integrating Distributed Energy Resources in China Executive summary
Rapid DER expansion creates new considerations for China’s distribution networks China is experiencing an unprecedented boom in distributed energy resources (DERs), including rooftop solar photovoltaics, battery storage, electric vehicles (EVs) and flexible electric loads. Typically located behind-the-meter, these small assets can deliver significant benefits to China’s power system if efficiently integrated, including enhanced flexibility, strengthened electricity security and lower system costs. Driven by declining technology costs and supportive national programmes, DER deployment has accelerated across rural communities and commercial and industrial buildings. By 2024, distributed photovoltaics (DPV) accounted for 40% of the country’s total solar…
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Ramping up Heat Pumps in Moldova: A Roadmap Regulating the sector
Regulation plays a critical role in accelerating the adoption of heat pumps. This chapter discusses the range of regulatory tools available to Moldova, including building codes, appliance standards, restrictions on fossil fuel heating, energy labelling and heat planning or zoning measures. Building codes and standards Buildings remain a major source of emissions and energy consumption around the world. In Moldova, households are by far the country’s biggest users of energy. Upgrades to building performance through energy codes are critical for lowering energy demand per square metre, as well as improving quality of life, reducing air pollution and making energy…
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Renewables for Industry Executive summary
Electrification of heat can improve efficiency, help diversify industrial energy, and enhance energy security A broad range of industries that depend primarily on low-temperature heat and steam processes represent roughly 70% of global industrial energy consumption. They span diverse manufacturing activities – from food and beverages to textiles, chemicals, transport equipment, wood products and paper. In 2023, these sectors emitted nearly 3 Gt of direct energy-related CO₂, accounting for half of all direct industrial emissions, although emissions have declined by around 8% since 2013.Industrial energy use is largely in the form of heat and is increasingly being supplied…
