Achieving the ever-higher clean energy targets required to save the world’s climate comes with a number of hurdles at best, but what about regions where energy infrastructure is not at its peak? Decades of corruption and mismanagement in Lebanon have left the country barely able to meet its power needs, and the few demands that are met often rely on oil to make ends meet.
With only 2% of the country’s energy needs met by renewable energy and no state support for new energy infrastructure projects in two decades, radical changes may be needed to ensure Lebanon’s long-term energy security. Could Lebanon see a revolution not only in the sources of its power, but in its entire power apparatus?
Elsewhere, we consider the role of renewable energy in Wales and the potential challenges wind and hydroelectricity face as the world seeks to decarbonise its energy mix. We also look at the latest IPCC report and ask what it will take to meet its climate ambitions.
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In this problem
Will renewables bring light to a particularly dark situation in Lebanon?
Decades of mismanagement and corruption have left Lebanon with an unreliable energy system. Nour Ghantous and Isabeau van Halm argue that switching to renewable energy could help, but only if it comes with a complete reform of the energy market.
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Can we, with hydroelectricity? Grow the pipeline
The International Hydropower Association’s latest project, “We Can, With Hydropower,” aims to provide future investment and pipeline growth in technology. Giles Crosse wonders if the body can really provide tangible change?
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Child’s play, not a storm: inside wind investments
Investments in wind energy have not only attracted the attention of the title writers, but have also been a source of tremendous interest from industry stakeholders. However, 2021 hasn’t been as good for new investments as many were hoping, and Andrew Tunnicliffe wonders why.
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“Immediate, Quick, Deep”: the IPCC’s sixth assessment report and the future of power
The third installment of the IPCC report shows the path to an efficient energy transition and to keeping the Earth livable, writes Matthew Farmer.
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The black sky: the threat of solar activity to power grids
Covid-19 was a black swan event. For power companies, an event in the black sky will mean repelling disaster, writes Matthew Farmer.
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A Welsh Wonder: The Future of Welsh Renewable Energy
The Morlais tidal energy project could provide Wales with 240 MW of power and make the state an attractive destination for future investments in renewables. Dominic Hale investigates the future of Welsh renewables.
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Bridging the data gap with Elsevier
Scarlett Evans talks to the Elsevier academic publishing house about the importance of data in the energy industry.
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Next issue: technology
Artificial intelligence, drones and digitalisation have long been buzzwords in the energy sector, but have now begun to be adopted in facilities around the world, bringing their ambitious benefits with them. Yet none of these technologies have been fully integrated into a large-scale project, raising the question of how cutting-edge technology can overcome this latest obstacle to universal diffusion.
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