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Electricity

26/6/2024 News

Global grid infrastructure needs to more than double by 2050 to meet surging electricity demand

Global electricity demand is forecast to double by 2050, requiring extensive expansion of electricity grids and technological upgrades, according to a new report from DNV. Meanwhile, the World Economic Forum says energy transition momentum is slowing amidst global uncertainty, but reports from SolarPower Europe and the Global Wind Energy Council highlight some record-breaking renewables statistics.

Grid management

Looking down a between a row of two long banks of large mainframe computer units

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15/5/2026 Feature / Melissa Stark,Linda Capuano,Jessica Gillispie,Christopher Pham,Mary Wolf

How hyperscalers are changing the electricity system

To better understand the impact to the electricity system of the gigawatt-scale loads that hyperscalers are introducing to electricity grids, Rice University, Texas, MBA students Jessica Gillispie, Christopher Pham and Mary Wolf, and professors Melissa Stark FEI and Linda Capuano researched the impact of hyperscale loads in three US regional transmission operators: ERCOT (Texas), PJM (mid-Atlantic) and SPP (Midwest).

Grid management

Satellite imagery showing areas of Texas with and without lights at night following storm

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8/5/2024 Feature / Debo Adams

Maintaining a stable electricity grid during the energy transition

Renewable power sources impose many new demands on electricity grids built around large dispatchable point power generation sources, such as coal-fired power plants. Grid investment and expansion are not keeping pace with variable renewable energy deployment and the phase-out of dispatchable power capacity, creating associated risk to sensitive supply demand management needs, argues Debo Adams, Studies Manager, International Centre for Sustainable Carbon.*

Energy storage

Close up of electric fuelling cable connected to rear charging port of black car

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31/7/2024 Feature / Sara Siddeeq

Bidirectional charging turns EVs into mobile power banks

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more prevalent, the focus has been on enhancing their efficiency, range and overall performance. However, just by adding the potential for vehicles to return charge along the same cables provides a number of transformative benefits for the owner, community and the grid, explains Sara Siddeeq.

Electricity

Two men in high-vis tabbards and hard hats carrying solar panels on roof for installation

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15/11/2023 Feature / Keith Nuthall

Connecting the dots: Europe tackles security of supply challenges

Europe has an urgent need to improve power network infrastructure. Faced with the Russian embargo and other geopolitical issues, there is a call to boost security of supply and build renewable energy capacity. Keith Nuthall reports on a raft of new European Union (EU) mandates.

Electricity

People queuing outside shops in South Africa

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14/8/2024 Feature / Paul Cochrane

Repairing South Africa’s struggling power sector

South Africa has struggled to keep its lights on over the past four years. Corruption, mismanagement, theft and delayed projects have all taken their toll on a creaking electricity grid, while setting back plans for an energy transition towards renewables. But with a new broad-based coalition government elected to power in May 2024, and a newly created stand-alone Energy and Electricity Ministry, there is optimism that power generation issues will be resolved going forward, writes Paul Cochrane.

Solar

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7/5/2025 Feature / Meredith Monroe

Pakistan’s grassroots solar revolution of 2024

In 2024, Pakistan unexpectedly became the world’s sixth largest buyer of solar panels. Thousands of disgruntled urban electricity customers had long been looking to affordably run their air conditioners or business equipment. Decentralised photovoltaics (DPV) offered a feasible way to reduce grid-dependence, and last year they collectively invested in 15 GW of rooftop solar systems, reports Meredith Monroe.

Artificial Intelligence

Monochrome computer generated graphic of human eye surrounded by grey shaded rectangles and squares and dots

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18/10/2023 Feature / Brian Davis

AI and renewables: What’s the potential and reality?

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have the potential to support, optimise and accelerate the development of renewables in the energy transition. New Energy World Features Editor Brian Davis offers an insight into a raft of AI applications – and also road tests ChatGPT.

Renewables

Aerial overiew of solar farm in desert, showing row upon row of solar panels in bright sunlight

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19/2/2025 Feature / Sara Siddeeq

Desert is served: The Middle East countries turning a profit from overground solar and wind resources

For decades, the Middle East has been synonymous with oil and gas, powering industries, transport networks and economies worldwide. While fossil fuels will remain a significant part of the region’s energy mix, a noticeable shift is underway. Some of the wealthiest Gulf states, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia, are aggressively scaling up their renewable energy capacity, aiming to position themselves as global leaders in the clean energy transition, writes Sara Siddeeq.

Solar

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2/9/2025 Feature / Fatima Al Hammadi,Feras Farooque,Asma Mohamed,Steve Young

Using solar power for oil and gas – a case study

In June 2025, the Sharjah National Oil Corporation (SNOC), in collaboration with Emerge – a joint venture between Masdar and EDF Renewables – commissioned the 60 MW Sana solar power plant, the first utility-scale solar facility in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Located within the boundaries of SNOC’s main Al Sajaa hydrocarbon processing complex, the Sana solar plant generates more electricity annually than the complex consumes, with the surplus supplied to the local utility. This case study, written by Project Engineer Fatima Al Hammadi, Electrical and Instrumentation Team Leader Feras Farooque, Electrical Engineer Asma Mohamed and Maintenance Manager Steve Young, chronicles the journey and technical solutions that led to the successful implementation of this landmark project.

New Energy World™

Search results:

Global grid infrastructure needs to more than double by 2050 to meet surging electricity demand

How hyperscalers are changing the electricity system

Maintaining a stable electricity grid during the energy transition

Bidirectional charging turns EVs into mobile power banks

Connecting the dots: Europe tackles security of supply challenges

Repairing South Africa’s struggling power sector

Pakistan’s grassroots solar revolution of 2024

AI and renewables: What’s the potential and reality?

Desert is served: The Middle East countries turning a profit from overground solar and wind resources

Using solar power for oil and gas – a case study