IRENA guides countries in renewables integration

Environment

A new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) aims to assist countries in their transition to renewable energy-based power systems.

‘The Age of Renewable Power’ identifies 20 measures that can be taken to support the development of national roadmaps to integrate variable renewables.

It also highlights lessons learned by countries already pursuing a power system transformation.

The report finds that technology solutions to support renewable energy integration are already available, but other challenges remain.

According to IRENA, policy-makers must anticipate the effects the energy transformation will have on economic development, energy security and the environment. In order to do this, the report posits, policy-makers must ensure data collection and energy planning tools are in place, examine existing flexibility options, and secure human capacity to develop and adapt technologies to local conditions.

Adnan Amin, IRENA’s General Director, said: “The development of national roadmaps for power sector transformation can ensure that measures are adapted to local conditions, stakeholders are aligned at an early stage, and ambitious renewable energy targets are realized.”

Dolf Gielen, IRENA’s Director of Innovation and Technology, added: “The power sector transformation will be an iterative process and international cooperation will be an important tool to ensure continued learning and the exchange of best practices.”

‘The Age of Renewable Power’ is part of IRENA’s support to the G20 commitment to renewable energy, and supports the Ministers of the Clean Energy Ministerial, who announced their intent to establish national roadmaps to achieve a power system transformation.

IRENA is an intergovernmental organization made up from 143 members (142 states and the European Union) that promotes the adoption and sustainable use of renewable energy.

Image: IRENA