In 1990, in an episode of The Simpsons, the family are sitting down for Thanksgiving dinner. Homer gives thanks to nuclear power: ‘the cleanest, safest energy source there is’. He then adds, ‘except for solar - which is just a pipe dream.’

Despite the irony in the statement, over 30 years later it’s safe to say solar is very much not just a pipe dream. In the US alone, solar capacity has increased by 51% from 2022 to 2023. 32.4 GW of new capacity was installed in 2023. New materials such as perovskite cells are driving record efficiencies, and investment is flowing into the sector thanks to incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act.

Carolyn and Laura explore the role of solar in the Clean Energy Revolution, looking at the technology and policy that’s driving growth.

Becca Jones-Albertus speaks with Carolyn about the ongoing advancements in solar in the US. Costs are down and efficiency is up. The potential is there for solar to boost its contribution to US energy generation from 6% to over 40%.

Meanwhile, Laura looks beyond the limits of land-based solar power as she chats to Sam Adlen, CEO of UK-based firm Space Spolar. As the name suggests, they’re developing solutions to space-based solar power; a UK government grant is funding their research into the possibilities for harnessing solar energy in space and sending it back to earth. How realistic is it?

Plus, the latest technologies in solar are explored with Jonathan Gifford, Editor-in-chief at PV Magazine. He tells Laura about ‘floatovoltaics’, solar panels installed on lakes and reservoirs. Where land is scare, they’re an innovative solution. The water helps regulate the temperature of the cells, which naturally lose efficiency the more they heat up. Combining floating solar with hydroelectric dams is another innovation: these hybrid systems produce more electricity and can even store the potential energy in the form of water.

The potential for solar power goes beyond panels on roofs, and certainly beyond just a pipe dream.

The Global Wind Energy Council forecasts that, with sustained policy support and investment, global wind capacity could reach 2,000 GW by 2030. This would be a significant contribution to net zero goals, so what does this sustained policy support look like? Where does the investment need to go, and where are we seeing innovation in the sector?

On The Clean Energy Revolution, Carolyn and Laura explore the policy, technological advancements, investment needs, and the pivotal role of international cooperation in developing wind power.

Laura is in Bilbao at the WindEurope annual conference. WindEurope, formerly the European Wind Energy Association, represents manufacturers, suppliers, utilities, developers and research institutes to develop and advocate for wind power in Europe. Giles Dickson is CEO, and he joins Laura as the conference gets underway. Together they highlight the role of the North Sea as a pivotal energy hub for Europe, as Giles talks about the need for increased cooperation among North Sea bordering countries to maximize the region's wind energy potential. What does the wind sector look like on the East side of the Atlantic?

Meanwhile, Carolyn is in New York, with Will Hazelip, President of National Grid Ventures for the U.S. Northeast, to discuss the outlook for wind power in the region. Wind power in the US has seen substantial growth in the last two decades; 6 terawatt-hours in 2000 to 434 in 2022. What’s the potential for growth over the next decade, and beyond? Major projects such as South Fork Wind Farm and Vineyard Wind show the scale of ambition in the north-east, and the progress that’s being made to the 30GW target for 2030 set by the Biden administration. Carolyn and Will examine the state cooperation and policy support for offshore wind projects – projects that are perfectly placed to provide New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC with firm, reliable clean energy.

As of the end of 2022, the UK's offshore wind capacity stood at over 10 GW, contributing significantly to the country's renewable energy mix. The UK government aims to add an extra 40 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 to meet increasing electricity demands and sustainability goals. Across Europe, the goal is 300 GW by 2030.

The main talking points to come out of the WindEurope event, as Laura explains, are the complexities of scaling wind energy, the necessity of robust commercial frameworks, the impact of NIMBYism, and the crucial aspect of community engagement in wind projects.

Katie Jackson, President of NGV, and Matt Hinde, Head of European Affairs, also join this episode to explore these key points: the critical need for substantial investment and development in wind energy to meet future electricity demands, the importance of state cooperation and international collaboration to harness wind power effectively, and the significant challenges posed by supply chain issues, regulatory hurdles, and community opposition.

This year will see a significant milestone: renewable sources are poised to constitute over a third of global electricity generation, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

With the ambitious pledge set out at COP28 - to triple renewable capacity by 2030 - still high on the agenda of global energy policy, much focus is on the capability of electricity grids to deliver on increased demand. What infrastructural and regulatory frameworks need updating as we move toward 50% renewable generation, and towards the ultimate goal of 100%? As electrification increases, a modern grid is essential to handle the load.

So how can countries continue the significant progress that’s already been made in increasing renewable generation, and evolve our grids for the future?

In this episode, Laura and Carolyn are joined by National Grid’s Reihaneh Irani-Famili (VP capital delivery, project management and construction) and Sara Habib (Head of future price controls) to discuss the tripling of renewable energy generation. How will it happen and how do make sure the grids can cope?

China's huge solar deployment has created competition globally in manufacturing as well as research and development, so the discussion naturally revolves around policy planning in the UK and US, grid modernisation and the balance between energy security, affordability and decarbonisation.

What are the plans to modernise the grid to keep up with forecasted clean energy demand? Find out on The Clean Energy Revolution.

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