15 Years of Evolution: Strategies for Power System Transformation (Text Version)

This is the text version of the video 15 Years of Evolution: Strategies for Power System Transformation.

The video celebrates the 15-year anniversary of the Clean Energy Ministerial and examines the transformation of power systems toward a sustainable future.

[Music plays, narrator speaks]

[The Clean Energy Ministerial logo fades in on a white background. A hand holding a marker draws “15th” beneath the logo.]

[Narrator speaks]

As we mark the 15th anniversary of the Clean Energy Ministerial's launch in 2009, it's a moment to reflect on our progress.

[The hand continues drawing simple representations of the narration on the whiteboard. Marker sounds are audible.]

The key question back then was whether we could integrate a high percentage of renewables into our power grids. Today, real-world examples from Ireland to Texas and California show that it's not just possible, it's cost effective.

[The screen transitions to footage of renewable energy projects, including wind turbines, solar farms, and energy storage facilities.]

But our mission goes beyond just integrating renewables. It's about advancing our capabilities to build decarbonized, resilient, and secure power systems all around the world. This ensures we not only harness renewable energy but also create grids that withstand disruptions, adapt to changing demands, and provide reliable, affordable energy for all.

[The screen returns to the whiteboard, where the hand draws the "Flexibility Supply Curve" with its title at the top.]

One crucial tool in making our grids more resilient is the flexibility supply curve. This curve helps grid operators and policymakers evaluate and prioritize options, from new energy sources and storage solutions to operational changes, all aimed at keeping our electricity supply steady as renewable integration increases.

[The hand adds "2014" to the top of the curve illustration.]

[The screen swipes to a new version of the Flexibility Supply Curve marked "2024," now featuring a significantly larger set of strategies.]

Since its introduction in 2014 by the 21st Century Power Partnership, the curve's available strategies have doubled, with many now becoming standard practices across the US and Europe.

[The screen transitions back to footage of renewable energy projects in operation.]

This growth reflects our progress in creating cleaner and more secure power systems.

[The screen shifts to the whiteboard. The International Energy Agency (IEA) logo appears alongside an animated figure illustrating the "Six Phases of Variable Renewable Integration" with its title at the top.]

Of course, not every country is moving at the same pace. That’s why the International Energy Agency introduced a framework outlining six phases of power system evolution, from low to high levels of variable renewable energy. This framework complements the flexibility supply curve by illustrating how tools and strategies evolve, enabling countries to tailor their approaches to enhance system flexibility based on their unique stage of renewable energy integration.

[The screen returns to the whiteboard, where the hand draws as the narration continues.]

Today, some countries have seen renewable energy integration soar past 50%, 60%, and even 70%. These countries are sharing their experiences to help others leapfrog early challenges and accelerate their own transitions. But even the most advanced countries still have questions to answer to reach 80%, 90%, and ultimately 100% decarbonization. Getting there will require continued research, innovation, and supply chain improvements.

[The screen transitions to a montage of still images from various Clean Energy Ministerial conferences around the world.]

In the last decade, we've taken what once seemed ambitious and made it standard. Now, as we face the next set of challenges, collaboration and innovation are more crucial than ever.

[The Clean Energy Ministerial and 21st Century Power Partnership logos appear on a white background. The hand writes the words: "cleaner," "resilient," "secure," and "equitable." These words fade out, replaced by a call to action: "Visit www.21stcenturypower.org."]

To learn more and get involved, join the 21st Century Power Partnership and Clean Energy Ministerial in shaping a future with cleaner, more resilient, secure, and equitable power systems. Visit www.21stcenturypower.org.

[Music fades out.]