Future Energy Insights

Episode 6 takes a deep dive into the potential of floating photovoltaics (FPVs) as a sustainable alternative to land-based arrays and what it means for the MENA region.

With potential to free up vital agricultural land in countries where food security is critical; help enable island nations to meet their net-zero pledges; and produce more energy than terrestrial arrays due to the panel-cooling benefit of water, the case for taking solar offshore is gaining momentum.

Growing land scarcity and the rising cost of ground-mounted solar photovoltaics projects are driving demand in global markets from Asia-Pacific to the US. Recently released research from Wood Mackenzie posits an optimistic outlook for the sector with global floating PV fleet capacity expected to top the 6W threshold in the next eight years through to 2031.

In episode 5 we take a deep dive into the complexities, challenges and opportunities presented by the current funding landscape for water projects worldwide.

One of the greatest challenges of our time, water scarcity is a global issue. In episode five of Future Energy Insights we explore the compelling environmental, economic and humanitarian case for financing water projects.

By 2040, worldwide demand is expected to outstrip freshwater supplies, with climate change, over-consumption, conflict, population growth and infrastructure issues all playing a part.

According to UN data, the number of people facing this issue could more than double from 930 million in 2016 to a staggering 2.4 billion people in 2050.

AI-generated data is helping to optimise energy efficiency, improve supply and demand predictions, and increase grid flexibility.

Indeed, some believe AI might be the key to answering the long-standing trilemma of providing affordable, safe, and sustainable energy.

But will its long-term environmental footprint make us bad ancestors? And how do we regulate machine learning and protect the jobs it will inevitably replace?

In this episode of Future Energy Insights, we examine the role for AI in the future energy space and discuss how we can future proof technology to ensure it is used to the advantage of all.

According to the International Energy Agency, to help reach net zero emissions globally by 2050, the clean hydrogen market needs $1.2 trillion of investment this decade – a goal we are nowhere close to achieving.

In this, our third and final Green Hydrogen themed episode recorded live at the World Future Energy Summit, our speakers discuss ways to attract public- and private-sector funding into the sector.

Where do the biggest investment opportunities lie? Which countries are leading the field in attracting green hydrogen investment? What lessons can other nations learn from them and why?

Justo Alejandro Algaba, Director - Infrastructure Finance, MENAT at HSBC is joined by Claude Mourey, Director, Hydrogen and New Energies – EMEA at Wood Mackenzie and Adrien d'Ormesson, Investment Manager at Foresight Group, a sustainability-led alternative assets and SME investment manager. 

Episode two of Future Energy Insights will explore the elements needed to build a thriving hydrogen market in the GCC.

Moderator Jeffrey Beyer is joined by Frank Wouters, Senior Vice President of New Energy at Reliance International, Emanuele Bianco, Policy Program Officer at IRENA and Dr Jehan Kanga, CEO of Rux Energy, an advanced materials startup.

Recorded live at World Future Energy Summit 2023, the episode explores how countries can position themselves at the forefront of the hydrogen market and how they can export efficiently to the many countries eyeing up this clean energy form.

The World Future Energy Summit (WFES) has launched its podcast series, Future Energy Insights.

Recorded live at WFES 2023, episode one examines the clean hydrogen sector and whether the Middle East market is innovating quickly enough to meet future demand.

Global industry experts discuss the market segments presenting the biggest opportunities for innovators. They explore the R&D currently under way to help drive innovation, and the role that photovoltaics, electrolysers and other technologies will play in accelerating growth.

Featuring a mix of passionate debate and in-depth discussion, episode one is entitled ‘Clean hydrogen: is the region’s market innovating fast enough?’.