The geopolitical implications of renewable energy are of increasing relevance to policy, business, and academics. With the transition towards renewable forms of energy picking up speed, no longer is energy geopolitics the exclusive domain of oil and natural gas; renewables are influencing investment decisions and energy flows today. Moreover, renewables are a game changer due to their different geographic and technical characteristics as opposed to fossil fuels. The energy game is being reframed as we speak. The energy transition holds the promise of a brighter future, but it is not free of conflict potential. This blog explores how renewable energy alleviates contemporary geopolitical tensions and poses new challenges to energy security, both within and between countries.
This blog serves as a platform to share insights and discuss developments. It acts as a hub that connects institutions and people interested in the topic. It is an invitation to all that wish to join the growing community investigating the geopolitics of renewables, be they policy makers, business(wo)men, academics, and civil society groups. Typical questions relate, but are not limited, to:
- What do renewables’ geographic and technical characteristics imply for generation, distribution, and storage topology and system operations?
- How do renewables reshape energy markets, business models, cross-border energy flows, and economic activity among countries? Who are the winners and losers?
- How does the energy transition impact domestic political institutions, energy policy, and established actors?
- What strategic realities do producer, consumer, and transit countries face in the emerging energy game? What policy responses are available for countries to reap the benefits and mitigate the drawbacks?
- How will all of the above effect established patterns of energy-related cooperation and conflict?
The Team
The blog is currently maintained by Thomas Sattich, Associate Professor at the University of Stavanger. He was part of an international research effort that has been investigating the geopolitics of renewable energy since around 2011. New blogs are published at irregular intervals. If you have a publication or an opinion on a related issue and/or new development, send us a message!
Contributions can be sent to:
- thomas.sattich@uis.no
Contributions guidelines
- Name and affiliation of the author (brief), a picture of the author
- Approximately 1000 words, with title and relevant picture to the topic
- Accessible writing; limit jargon and long sentences
- Focused writing: one blog, one message
- No footnotes; no references but hyperlink
Partners
Fritz Reusswig, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Germany
Indra Overland, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, Norway
Kanika Chawla, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, India
Karen Smith Stegen, Jacobs-University, Germany
Kirsten Westphal, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, Germany
Rick Bosman, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Sagatom Saha, Council on Foreign Relations, USA
Susann Handke, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The Geopolitics of Renewables 