New Energy Landscape Series S1 Special: 30 innovations for a renewable-powered future

This joint session with Initiate and IRENA discussed how the 30 innovations identified by IRENA in its “Innovation landscape for a renewable-powered future” project are accelerating the energy transition.

The episode stressed the importance of a systemic innovation approach, meaning fostering innovation in four dimensions: enabling technologies, business models, market design and system operation. The role of those innovations were discussed in the context of the ongoing disruptive trends in the power sector: 1) digitalisation, 2) decentralisation and 3) electrification. These trends are changing paradigms, unlocking system flexibility for a high share of VRE penetration. They are changing the roles and responsibilities of actors and opening doors to new entrants in the sector.

Expert presentations were followed by a panel discussion, during which questions from the live audience were answered.

Speakers:

• Annagret Groebel, Director of International Relations at the German Regulatory Authority BNetzA; President CEER
• Dolf Gielen, Director Innovation and Technology, IRENA
• Enno Bàttcher, CEO, NODES
• João Torres, CEO, EDP Distribuição
• Maher Chebbo, Co-Chair of the ETIP SNET Digital Energy
• Mark McGranaghan, Vice-President Innovation, Electric Power Research Institute
• Michele Governatori, Professor of Environmental Economics and Resource Economics, University Suor Orsola Benincasa
• Norela Constantinescu, Manager Research & Innovation, ENTSO-E
• Vaitea Cowan, Co-Founder, Enapter