Energy Roundtable Meeting Summaries

It was great to work with Matteo Craglia, Andreas Kopf, participants to the ITF - International Transport Forum roundtable “Managing Competing Sectoral Demands for Renewable Energy in the Transition to Sustainable Transport” and inputs from industry partners of the European Transport and Energy Research Center of the Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis on what could be a merit order to prioritise the use of low-carbon electricity from renewables and bioenergy across different end-uses. Here the result: https://lnkd.in/ey8Ayxb5 Key messages: - Prioritise biofuels and e-fuels for sectors with limited alternatives to decarbonisation The use of biofuels in the road transport sector is lower in priority than using them in decarbonising the hard-to-abate sectors. Sustainable biofuels and e-fuels are particularly useful to decarbonise sectors where direct electrification and other technologies are not possible, such as long-distance aviation and maritime shipping. - Prioritise electrification to promote energy efficiency where possible Direct electrification of end-use applications increases energy efficiency. Electrification should be prioritised in all sectors across the economy where it is the most cost competitive, also thanks to this energy efficiency advantage. This is the case for road transport and heat, especially through heat pumps. Low-carbon electricity is set to be less constrained than other energy resources, such as hydrogen and biofuels. Electrification can also help increase energy security, as most economies also have access to some cost competitive renewable electricity supply. - Avoid mandating the use of hydrogen in road transport and favour sectors with more resilient demand Hydrogen risks to see limited adoption in road transport modes (including heavy duty), where it is likely to be outcompeted by direct electrification (more efficient and cheaper). The merit order is higher in industrial sectors with limited alternatives to abate GHG emissions or replace existing fossil hydrogen in applications such as fertiliser production. Focusing demand increases in these sectors is paired with more demand resilience and, if framed in regulations with strong non-compliance penalties, it can also be paired with greater willingness to pay, ultimately helping bring down costs (and supplies) for other uses. - Avoid scarcity of key energy resources by unlocking supply and limiting demand Economy-wide decarbonisation requires wide availability of low-carbon electricity and fuels. Most emission savings are contingent on the carbon intensity of the electricity mix, underscoring the importance of the rapid deployment of low-carbon electricity generation.  Using low-carbon resources more efficiently is also well suited to promote a just transition. Below a graphical summary of the cross-sectoral merit order that we suggest.

We may be past the tipping point but we had a pretty intense reality check on the state of our nation, especially in California and Colorado, when it comes to energy policy and the future of domestic energy this week in Denver, Co. Mike Umbro, founder of Californians for Energy & Science, led a powerful eye opening Crue Club roundtable that laid out some hard truths and eye-opening takeaways: 1) California’s Energy Crisis – Predictions of rolling blackouts and $8–$10 gasoline prices are becoming real possibilities as refinery closures accelerate and reliance on imports grows while local production is shut down. 2) Policy Impacts – Aggressive policies in California and Colorado are driving production declines, creating both energy and economic challenges. 3) Educational Outreach – Direct engagement with students at universities like UC Berkeley and Harvard is critical to counter misinformation and help the next generation understand the importance of local energy. 4) Economic Consequences – Areas like Kern County are already feeling the strain, facing budget deficits as oil property tax revenues fall, impacting local economies and jobs. 5) Innovation Under Pressure – Projects like geologic thermal energy storage show promise, but face uphill battles against permitting and regulatory obstacles. 6) Policy Advocacy – Building coalitions across Western states and engaging policymakers with data-driven arguments is essential to changing the trajectory. 7) Industry Challenges – From permitting delays to investment hurdles, the environment for oil and gas is more difficult than ever. 8) Community Impact – Shutting down oil and gas removes high-paying jobs, disproportionately hurting disadvantaged communities. 9) Future of Energy – Balancing environmental goals with the need for reliable, affordable energy will require both innovation and honest dialogue. 10) Call to Action – Now is the time for industry professionals to step up—engage in policy discussions, support educational efforts, and collaborate on real solutions. The crisis isn’t something on the horizon, it’s already here. As refinery closures continue and poor energy policies pile up, the signs will only become clearer. Advocacy and education can’t be left to the majors alone, it’s on all of us. Every professional in this industry has a role to play in sharing the realities, engaging in tough conversations, and helping shape a more reliable and sustainable future.

“Lack of effective follow-up” was one of the key concerns raised by investors during a recent CPD roundtable on renewable energy that I attended. We took that feedback seriously and decided to set a different example this time. Yesterday, we shared a detailed update on the status and action plan for all 23 investor recommendations aimed at improving Bangladesh’s renewable energy investment environment. Out of these, 10 have already been implemented, while 8 are in progress with clear timelines attached, 5 require more clarity. Key interventions : - Dedicated renewable energy desk and focal point setup at BIDA. ✅ - Revamped BIDA website contain all consolidated information and policies related to renewable energy. ✅ - A B2B matchmaking tool in progress connecting local and foreign investors. ⏳ It is high time we move beyond the narrative of “potential” and “promise” and start converting them into real, tangible actions. With these concrete interventions, I believe stakeholders will begin to see measurable impact on the ground. A special thanks to Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) for consolidating the recommendations and following up on the agreed actions.