Keeping track of the pitfalls and possibilities is the Paris-based International Energy Agency, an autonomous organization that has been analyzing energy for 40 years. In 2006, the influential agency began publishing Energy Technology Perspectives, a report that examines energy technologies and their potential for transforming the way the world uses power.
Because the agency is viewed as being above the fray of climate change politics, the ETP's detailed technology reports have become a must-read for policymakers and anyone else seeking guidance on what's possible and what's not in clean energy. The reports influence the UN climate treaty negotiations—talks meant to produce a climate accord in Paris late next year.
Each year, about 30 analysts evaluate the costs, development, deployment and potential of 500 technologies, according to David Elzinga, an IEA senior project manager and lead author of the ETP reports. Working with so many energy experts, Elzinga said, is "like having a live Google two offices over who can answer any question you have on their respective topic, giving you context, history and depth."
Elzinga, a mechanical engineer, joined the IEA in 2009 and has led the agency's work on smart grids and other topics. We interviewed him recently about his perspective on the readiness of various clean energy technologies to solve the climate crisis.
ICN: Where do we stand today on tackling climate change versus where we need to be?
Elzinga: One thing that's very clear, is that we are not on track. One of the key technologies, the deployment of renewables, is the one bright area where we are seeing good progress. That's on target at this stage, and progressing at a rate we think is sufficient to meet 2050 goals. But all other major technology areas are in what we qualify as either in the red or yellow—we use a stoplight analogy—in terms of progress right now.
40% Drop in Solar PV Cost is Brightest Spot of Global Energy Picture
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