World Energy Trilemma Index 2022
The goals to be achieved in the 'Energy Trilemma' are defined by the World Energy Council (WEC) as
- secure energy supply,
- access to affordable energy,
- sustainability in the generation and consumption of energy.
Each country pursues its own strategy to solve the energy trilemma. In the current Energy Trilemma Index of the WEC 127 countries are judged.
Austria ranks fifth in the current worldwide Trilemma Index Ranking.
World Energy Issues Monitor 2022
The annual World Energy Issues Monitor provides a unique insight into what energy policy makers, CEOs and leading experts identify as critical uncertainties and priorities for action. The report surveyed 2,200 decision-makers in the international energy community from nearly 100 countries.
The survey results show a clear upward trend in the perception of uncertainties. In particular, sharp increases in commodity prices and geopolitical tensions led to this view and gave a significant boost to the discussion on security of supply. In addition, the WEC study provides an indication of the urgent need for a solid, coherent, and long-term framework for planning future investments in the energy transition. Added to this is the concern about obtaining the financing needed to transform the energy system on the capital markets in the face of economic uncertainties.
In Austria, too, higher commodity prices, the transformation of the energy system and, in this context, the energy and climate policy framework are high on the agenda. In addition, technology trends (digitalization, hydrogen economy, innovative energy storage systems) dominate the agenda of the decision-makers surveyed.
WEC Austria thanks all participants for their support, combined with the request for further good cooperation.
YEP Austria: Results from the Working Groups
The Young Energy Professionals (YEP) programme is an interdisciplinary network of young executives from members and partners of WEC Austria and is based on an initiative of the London WEC office.
The 1st cycle was launched in October 2015 and lasted until autumn 2018. The topics covered by the participants of the 1st cycle included the energy turnaround, investments and subsidies or the effects of digitisation on Austria's energy industry. The results of the 1st cycle are available in the reports "Energy Future in Austria - Current Trends and Approaches for Innovations" and "Digitisation in the Energy Industry".
The 2nd cycle started in February 2018 ended 2020. Future perspectives were developed in working groups on the topics of storage & grids, buildings, industrial processes, oil & gas and #emission2030. The final reports of the working groups on "buildings", "storage & grids" and "industrial processes" are now available.
Hydrogen Demand and Cost Dynamics
Hydrogen is being discussed as one important solution to meet the Paris climate goals, as it can be a clean fuel, feedstock, and reagent for many energy intensive processes and transport services. However, possible hydrogen demand trajectories up to 2050 can vary depending on the development of complementing technologies, such as energy efficiency, electrification, carbon capture, and hydrogen technologies themselves. This analysis aims to shed light on the different hydrogen demand and cost trajectories by analysing various reports and energy scenarios.
H2 Developments: Inputs from Senior Leaders
WEC released Inputs from Senior Leaders on Hydrogen Developments, a further Working Paper in the "Hydrogen on the Horizon" series produced in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and PwC.
The Hydrogen on the Horizon series aims to start a multi-stakeholder, multi-level community dialogue on hydrogen’s role in energy transitions. In this new Working Paper we present inputs from senior energy leaders on hydrogen uptake, and highlight issues we should pay attention to when developing hydrogen production and use. The Working Paper builds upon interviews with 38 experts from 23 countries, reflecting 61% of the global Total Primary Energy Supply and 70% of global GDP.
National Hydrogen Strategies
The working paper in the Hydrogen on the Horizon series, produced in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and PwC, includes extensive research on national H2 strategies and interviews with 38 experts from 23 countries.
Starting with the publication "Innovation Insights Briefing: Hydrogen on the Horizon: Ready, Almost Set, Go?", the Hydrogen on the Horizon series aims to start a multi-stakeholder, multi-level community dialogue on hydrogen’s role in energy transitions.
Innovation Insights Briefing on hydrogen
The topic of hydrogen is becoming an increasing political priority worldwide. Already 20 countries have published their own hydrogen strategies or plan to complete them in the coming months. More than 30 other countries support pilot and demonstration projects or are discussing selected policy steps for hydrogen use. The World Energy Council has now produced the briefing "Hydrogen on the Horizon: Ready, Almost Set, Go?", which presents hydrogen demand scenarios at country and regional level and identifies prerequisites and barriers for large-scale hydrogen development.
Innovation Insights – Role of TSO’s in Energy Transition
The energy transition, which entails a fundamental change in the energy supply system, creates new challenges for transmission system operators. In the past, a few large power plants in the transmission grid were responsible for the central provision of energy. Due to the expansion of renewable energies, the number of decentralized power generation facilities is increasing rapidly. These feeders, consumers or storage facilities are mainly connected to the distribution networks. Due to the large number of wind power- and PV systems with mostly weather-dependent generation, a variety of challenges have to be solved. Existing processes must be changed and new technical solutions created. Above all, however, distribution network operators are playing an increasingly important role in the security of electricity supply. At the same time, intensive coordination between distribution and transmission system operators is also becoming increasingly important. This publication is dedicated to the future role of transmission system operators in a flexible energy world and provides recommendations for action.
