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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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Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit
…case studies, offering practical insights into the successful implementation of energy efficiency policies across diverse national and sectoral contexts.The Toolkit builds on earlier IEA work to advance energy efficiency policy. In 2022, the IEA introduced Policy Packages for Energy Efficiency to help governments deploy coordinated policy approaches across these three pillars. The Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit was subsequently developed to also integrate concrete, sector-specific guidance, along with best practices from around the world.Ten strategic principlesBased on the IEA’s analysis of best practices and the work of the Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency, the following…
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Best Practices and Insights to Expand Clean Energy Access and Adoption
…follow low-emissions practices and are resilient and inclusive. It draws on international evidence, including workshop discussions, IEA analysis and a wide range of global case studies, to identify key impacts and lessons learned from evidence and practice. It highlights how behaviour change is most effective when supported by coherent policy frameworks, targeted measures addressing affordability and structural changes across sectors such as buildings, transport and appliances. By identifying good practices and practical insights, the report provides guidance to support policymakers design inclusive strategies that enable sustainable lifestyles and ensure the benefits of the energy transition are shared by all.
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Household Energy Affordability
Energy is one of the top expenses for millions of households, making energy affordability an important policy concern for governments. The impacts of the global energy crisis on consumer prices have been significantly felt in household budgets. Despite coming down from their peak in 2022, prices remain elevated compared to pre-crisis levels and households continue to grapple with higher living costs.This report sets out to identify key trends that are shaping the state of energy affordability around the world today. It explores how system drivers and household energy consumption influence the makeup of energy bills and opens a…
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Global Energy Review 2025
…demand for electricity rising almost twice as fast as wider energy demand due to higher demand for cooling, rising consumption by industry, the electrification of transport and the growth of data centres and artificial intelligence. Nearly all of the rise in electricity demand was met by low-emissions sources, led by the record-breaking expansion of solar PV capacity, with further growth in other renewables and nuclear power. Gas demand also picked up substantially, while oil and coal consumption increased more slowly than in 2023.CO2 emissions from the energy sector continued to increase in 2024 but at a slower…
- Key findings
- Global trends
- Oil
- Natural gas
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+ 3 pages
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Renewables in District Energy
…around 600 million people worldwide, but many systems remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, exposing consumers and utilities to price volatility, supply risks and high emissions.The report provides a global overview of district energy systems, their fuel mixes, market conditions, governance models and affordability implications. It explores the growing opportunities offered by renewable and recovered heat sources, including bioenergy, geothermal, solar thermal, waste heat, large-scale heat pumps and thermal energy storage. It also sets out policy priorities for three types of markets: established systems with high renewable shares, fossil fuel-intensive networks, and emerging or untapped district energy markets.
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Ensuring a Skilled Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Workforce
…labour shortages. The report identifies barriers which are currently hindering energy education and training. It also discusses policy measures aimed at attracting more people to the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors and providing them with the necessary training. The report includes new IEA analysis on online job postings in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and IEA modelling on energy employment from 2024 as the last full year of data available at the time of publication. The analysis also draws from stakeholder input from two in-person Future of Energy Skills workshops co-ordinated by the IEA and the European…
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The State of Energy Innovation 2025
…milestones. It identifies areas where new approaches to policy support are being developed to use public funds more effectively, but also highlights areas where more efforts are needed to address barriers to scale-up and attract private capital. The report includes focus chapters on three dynamic fields, namely diversification of battery mineral supplies, application of artificial intelligence to energy innovation, and development of carbon dioxide removal technologies. The analysis provides a data-driven foundation to inform policy makers, industry and other stakeholders on the state of energy innovation worldwide and the importance of sustaining innovation momentum over the long term.
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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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Overview graphic: key technology trends for EVs
…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.Finally, technologies enabling EV-grid integration are becoming increasingly available, allowing EVs to play a larger role in the energy system and improving their value proposition. With the rollout of smart and bidirectional charging, EV owners can reduce charging costs and, in some cases, generate revenue by participating…