Global Innovations from the Energy Sector 2010-2020

The report highlights key technological and business model innovations from 2010-2020 across six domains: critical infrastructure, energy efficiency, renewables integration, systemic efficiency, emission reductions, and electricity access. It notes significant cost reductions in solar (84%) and wind (over 50%) since 2010, and an 85% drop in lithium-ion battery prices since 2012. Key technical advancements include High-voltage direct current (HVDC) and modular multilevel converter (MMC) technology for offshore wind, synchronous reluctance motors for industrial efficiency, and blockchain-based energy tracing. The document also examines policy frameworks in Kazakhstan and Kosovo, shared value cooperatives in the UK, and the role of mini-grids and PAYG models in expanding electricity access in Africa and Asia.

• Since 2010, the global benchmark price for solar energy has decreased by 84% and wind energy by over 50%, with both now outperforming new fossil fuel-based electricity generation on a global average cost basis.
• Lithium-ion battery storage prices fell by approximately 85% between 2012 and 2020.
• High-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology, specifically the HVDC Light solution, has evolved to support power capacities over 3,000 megawatts and distance capabilities of 2,000 km with transmission losses under 1%.
• Modular multilevel converter (MMC) technology, first commissioned in 2015 for the Borwin2 project in the North Sea, enables the integration of remote offshore wind parks into the grid.
• ABB's synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM IE4), launched in 2011, achieves energy savings of up to 25% in industrial installations and offers up to 50% lower energy losses compared to IE2 induction motors.
• The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) supported Kazakhstan's transition to green energy through a renewable energy law and a feed-in tariff system, financing 672 MW of renewable capacity over five years.
• In the UK, Falck Renewables and Energy4All implemented a shared value model where local communities form financial cooperatives to fund renewable projects; between 2005 and 2019, seven cooperatives raised over 10.7 million.
• Acciona's GREENCHAIN application uses blockchain technology to allow customers to verify in real-time that 100% of their consumed electricity is from a renewable source.
• Asperitas's Immersed Computing, using a synthetic dielectric fluid developed by Shell, can reduce data centre energy footprints by up to 45% and capture up to 98% of waste heat for reuse.
• Enel X's adaptive street lighting system, tested in two Italian cities since April 2018, achieves 36% energy savings beyond traditional LED technology by using video analysis and neural network algorithms to dim lights based on real-time traffic and weather.
• China Huaneng invested 16.9 billion yuan between 2015 and 2018 to upgrade 112 GW of coal-generation capacity to ultra-low emission status, reducing sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and dust emissions by 71%, 47%, and 80% respectively by 2018.
• Siemens introduced Blue switchgear in 2017, which replaces SF6 gas (a potent greenhouse gas) with clean dry air insulation and a vacuum interrupter.
• In 2016, South African Airways performed Africa's first flight using sustainable aviation fuel derived from the Solaris plant, a multi-purpose crop developed by Sunchem.
• Electricity access in Africa has been expanded through grid extensions, mini-grids, and stand-alone systems, including the use of pay-as-you-go (PAYG) business models and IoT solutions like Okra's smart grid mesh for solar PV.

APA

World Economic Forum (2020). Global Innovations from the Energy Sector 2010-2020. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Transformational_Energy_Innovations_2010_2020.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. Global Innovations from the Energy Sector 2010-2020. 2020. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Transformational_Energy_Innovations_2010_2020.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=Global Innovations from the Energy Sector 2010-2020 |date=May 2020 |url=http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Transformational_Energy_Innovations_2010_2020.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2020global, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{Global Innovations from the Energy Sector 2010-2020}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2020}, month = may, url = {http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Transformational_Energy_Innovations_2010_2020.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }