Green digitalization in the electric power industry

Abstract

The lasting global economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic allows decision-makers and societies to re-think the basis and drivers of economic growth, laying the foundation for sustainable development. The green economic recovery takes place with a leading role played by the energy industry. This paper focuses on the application and desired effects of green digital technologies in the electric power industry in ten countries — the largest electricity producers and consumers. The study is designed in the framework of the sectoral innovation systems concept. The research tasks were addressed, first, through horizon scanning (the analysis of research and analytical publications). Second, the green digitialization indicators for the electric power industry in the selected countries were identified with the use of statistical and other available reliable data and compared. Third, a comparative analysis of national strategic documents was performed, along with corporate tasks and indicators that reflect the digital transformation at micro level. As a result of the study, key trends and three models of green digitalization at the national level were identified, the prerequisites and potential social and economic effects of the application of these technologies in electric power industry were described.

O papel do Investimento Direto Estrangeiro para o desenvolvimento da Capacidade Inovadora na Indústria de Energia Eólica Offshore Brasileira

“…Offshore Wind Energy is a technology for generating electricity by wind turbines installed at sea by means of high-speed winds in the coastal region, thus, being able to generate more energy (Ferreira, 2019). The environmental agenda, energy demand, and the decentralization of non-renewable sources have made investments in the sector grow considerably (Noronha et al, 2021a;Turovets, Proskuryakova, Starodubtseva, & Bianco, 2021).…”

Tools for Increasing the Efficiency of Using Fixed Assets in the Context of Digital Transformation of the Economy

“…The use of digital technologies in the electric power industry contributes to a more rational consumption of resources by both producers and consumers, a reliable and even distribution of energy resources. The analysis of big data on consumer behavior enables suppliers to form flexible tariffs depending on energy consumption patterns [17,18].…”

“…The development of the digital economy has led to the emergence of research in the field of digitalization of enterprises. For example, attention is paid to the impact of digitalization on the problems of employment of workers [15], the prospects for the formation of digital networks and optimization of value chains [16], the possibilities of digital transformation in the electric power industry [17], including taking into account the greening of processes [18] and others…”

Reconfiguring the Energy Storage Landscape

“…It is therefore important to expand the technologies and raw materials used in the manufacture of batteries and it is particularly relevant to identify the most promising emerging battery technologies (Metzger et al, 2023). Moreover, the energy and transport systems are at forefront of the digitalization revolution (Turovets et al, 2021), which poses new challenges for energy storage systems and battery technologies. Such challenges in "critical technology areas" call for innovation (Aaldering, Song, 2019;Golembiewski et al, 2015;IEA, 2020b;IEA, 2021b), especially in a post-pandemic/geopolitical conflicts/ decoupling scenario where supply-chains are already under strain.…”