Integrated energy and digital strategies needed to accelerate renewables deployment

Strong institutional and governance frameworks integrating energy and digital strategies are needed to accelerate renewable energy deployment, a new UN report indicates.

The Climate Technology Progress Report 2024, produced by the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre and the Climate Technology Centre and Network, highlights that with the integration of energy storage solutions, electricity systems powered predominantly by renewables are rapidly becoming not only viable, but also increasingly cost-competitive compared to fossil fuel-based systems.

However, collaboration between different actors and sectors – public and private and for example across sectors such as water and agriculture – is currently fragmented.

It is therefore essential to address the wider implications of digital technologies for energy
systems and other sectors, the report states.

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It is also important to recognise and address institutional and governance gaps, as these will have a significant impact on the successful implementation of cross-sector digital capabilities for effective digital innovations.

Global commitments made at COP28 are to triple the installed renewable energy capacity by 2030. But different regions are scaling their renewable energy capacity at different rates, influenced by their existing capacity and the urgency with which they aim to achieve the goal, the report comments.

It also notes a strong correlation between increased adoption rates and a reduction in technology costs – specifically those technologies that are smaller and with more modular features and of low design complexity.

Digitalisation and AI

The report highlights the role of innovative solutions – including smart grids and advanced energy management systems – that help manage variability and ensure stability for integrating renewable energy into existing grids.

Supported by responsible governance, this can accelerate renewable energy diffusion, enhance mitigation efforts and create cross-sectoral benefits.

“Digital technologies including AI are increasingly important for mapping renewable energy potential, improving efficiency and enabling interconnections with other sectors, such as water and agriculture,” states the report.

However, they cannot replace the physical infrastructure and governance systems needed for energy transition, it adds.

“Upscaling of AI-based technologies, such as using machine learning for advanced solar mapping, requires fostering public-private partnerships, considering risks and challenges of using AI, promoting transparent and accessible data, and integrating AI tools into national energy strategies.”

The report also comments that robust governance frameworks are necessary to ensure the responsible use of AI in renewable energy projects, including setting national standards for data privacy and equitable access.

Accessible AI-enabled platforms for all socio-economic groups, including marginalised communities, also are crucial and can be facilitated through subsidies and a global AI fund promoting digital literacy.

In conclusion, context-specific understanding of digitalisation’s role in decarbonisation pathways, especially at the regional level, remains inadequate and requires further study from various perspectives.

Country-specific assessments are key to embedding responsible governance in digital innovation policies, strengthening the connection between digital and energy sectors.

“These policies should drive cross-sectoral governance and investments in climate technology solutions, fostering an enabling environment for achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and the SDGs.”