The Geopolitics of Renewable Energy

Øverland, Indra; O’Sullivan, Meghan L.; Sandalow, David

doi:10.2139/ssrn.2998305

Cited by 96 publications

(52 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…A recent report by the International Renewable Energy Agency [IRENA] () suggests that an energy transformation driven by renewables could have severe geopolitical implications. The authors fear new tensions, for instance between China and the United States, as both seek global dominance in the strategically important clean tech sector and control of the raw materials required for their production (see also (O'Sullivan, Overland, & Sandalow, ). Beijing's recent threats to curb the export of rare earths are a testimony to that (Hornby & Sanderson, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Four scenarios of the energy transition: Drivers, consequences, and implications for geopolitics

Bazilian

Bradshaw

Gabriel³

et al. 2019

WIREs Climate Change

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This opinion article offers insights into the geopolitics of the ongoing global energy transition. In doing so, it draws heavily on a workshop in Berlin in late 2018, and a subsequent paper in the journal Nature. Four scenarios are presented. First, the "Big Green Deal" offers a positive story of the future, under the assumption that there will be a multilateral approach to tackling climate change. Second, "Dirty Nationalism" explores the fallout of nations choosing to turn inward and pursue a short-term, protectionist, and self-interested agenda. Third, "Technology Breakthrough" illustrates how a technological leap forward could lead to a great power rivalry and distinct regional energy blocs. Finally, "Muddling On" investigates the outcome of an energy transition that reflect business as usual. By comparing and contrasting the different scenarios, the article highlights the potential winners and losers of the different scenarios, and the geopolitical consequences. It also sketches the implications for policy, theory, and scenario thinking more broadly.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Four scenarios of the energy transition: Drivers, consequences, and implications for geopolitics

Bazilian

Bradshaw

Gabriel³

et al. 2019

WIREs Climate Change

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It has been argued that the global low‐carbon transition might also shift producer‐consumer relations, and possibly tilt market power toward oil importers (O'Sullivan et al., ). Couple this with a soft market, due to faltering demand, and the result is a perilous race for buyers among exporters (Fattouh and Dale, ), with prices coming under significant downward pressure.…”

Section: Petrostates and The Low‐carbon Energy Worldmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why the Global Energy Transition Does Not Mean the End of the Petrostate

Goldthau

Westphal

2019

Global Policy

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The world going low carbon is believed to put an end to petrostates, and to force incumbent oil producers to diversify their economies away from fossil fuels. This article challenges this assumption. Whether petrostates are in for the long game or end up with a ‘panic and pump’ strategy, it is argued, is a function of the lifting costs and the social costs of producing oil. What is more, the low‐carbon energy transition may well throw petrostates an additional lifeline, as fast decarbonizing OECD countries will shed some of their most energy‐intensive sectors, including refineries and petrochemicals, which opens up new export opportunities. Particularly for Middle Eastern petrostates it may therefore be very rational to further specialize in the high‐carbon segment. The policy challenge, therefore, will be twofold: managing a rapidly changing energy system in order to secure the transformation dividends it will bring, for human security and economic welfare; and balancing the (geo) political after pains of the incumbent fuels leaving the system.

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“…Likewise, successful low‐carbon transitions require strong political support by powerful economic actors (the fossil and clean energy industry) and civil society and prosumers. The unsustainability of current fossil‐based systems (van de Graaf and Zelli, , p. 48), and the collapse of energy companies' traditional business models (Akutsina et al, ; O'Sullivan et al, , pp. 16–17; Parag and Sovacool, ), create a conducive ground for the reinvention and transformation of the energy business.…”

Section: The Prioritization and Securitization Of Gas Importsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Behind the EU's Energy and Climate Policy Conundrum: Erroneous Power Toolbox, Deadlocks and the Way Forward

Proedrou

2019

J of Common Market Studies

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This article discusses EU energy and climate policy through the prism of multidimensional power. In so doing, it explores the forms of power EU policy draws from and employs. The article argues that through its gas first policy the EU misused its productive power and failed to shift structural power dynamics, while overplaying its institutional and compulsory power to fulfil its energy/climate goals despite the EU's obvious limitations in the former and impotence in the latter. This mismatch between means and goals points to the need for an alternative power toolbox. This consists in the exercise of productive power to signify clean energy as the new normal; the use of coercive structural and market power to shape and regulate clean energy markets and the increased use of institutional power deriving from a comprehensive energy transition. This power toolbox relaxes the shortcomings of the EU's gas first policy, cements EU energy security and supports the global uptake of transitions to renewable energy.

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The Geopolitics of Renewable Energy

Cited by 96 publications

References 26 publications

Four scenarios of the energy transition: Drivers, consequences, and implications for geopolitics

Four scenarios of the energy transition: Drivers, consequences, and implications for geopolitics

Why the Global Energy Transition Does Not Mean the End of the Petrostate

Behind the EU's Energy and Climate Policy Conundrum: Erroneous Power Toolbox, Deadlocks and the Way Forward

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