In focus: Plotting the course of green transition as heat waves strain energy sources

Human-caused global warming has increased the intensity and duration of heat waves all around the world. Scientists indicate that the heat waves will become even more intense in the future. As the world struggles to take a fresh breath from record-breaking high temperatures, the offshore energy sector is trying to stay on the net-zero course, embracing its important role in the energy transition.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in its first volume of the World Energy Transitions Outlook (WETO) 2023, has called for raised global ambition in renewables deployment to immediately course correct the 1.5°C climate pathway.

The WETO 2023: 1.5°C Pathway volume positions electrification and efficiency as key transition drivers, enabled by renewable energy, clean hydrogen and sustainable biomass, and tracks implementation across all energy sectors.

In the report, IRENA also pointed out that even though some progress has been made, mainly in the power sector with record additions in the global renewable capacity of 300 GW in 2022, the gap between what has been achieved and what is required continues to grow.

To tackle climate change issues, more than 4,800 participants from all corners of the world met last week in Germany at the Bonn Climate Change Conference. The participants laid the groundwork for the political decisions required at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai at the end of the year.

While multiple industry players have expressed views in support of oil and gas being needed to power the world, others warned about the consequences of bringing new fossil fuel projects online and call for an explicit exit strategy to progressively strip out fossil fuel assets. They also highlighted that compared to slightly more than $1 trillion estimated to go into coal, oil, and gas, the global investment in clean energy is on track to jump to $1.7 trillion in 2023, paving the way for more green and renewable sources to be added to the energy mix.

Meanwhile, the UN’s 193 member states adopted a legally binding marine biodiversity agreement on Monday following nearly two decades of negotiation. The deal contains 75 articles that aim at protecting, caring for, and ensuring the responsible use of the marine environment, maintaining the integrity of ocean ecosystems, and conserving the inherent value of marine biological diversity.

On the other hand, as part of the decarbonisation efforts, the European Commission published two delegated acts outlining detailed rules on the EU definition of renewable hydrogen.

The first act defines under which conditions hydrogen, hydrogen-based fuels or other energy carriers can be considered as renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), while the second act provides a methodology for calculating life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions for RFNBOs.

According to the EC, the acts are interrelated and are necessary for the fuels to be counted towards EU countries’ renewable energy targets.

This week saw many projects ramping up in the offshore energy sector. The industry players are now, more than ever, ready to make pioneering moves toward a carbon-neutral future.

As part of its environmental strategy, Danish shipping giant Maersk has announced it will retrofit 11 vessels to run on methanol. MAN PrimeServ, MAN Energy Solutions’ after-sales division, will provide a solutions package comprising engineering, parts, project management, onsite technical assistance at yard, sea-trial assistance and recertification service during the work.

As for the offshore wind sector, two survey activities are planned to start this month at the Empire Wind offshore wind farm site located about 20 miles south of Long Island. Up to 35 sediment core samples will be analysed to inform the design of underwater cables for the Empire 1 and 2 offshore wind farms. The wind farms are being developed by Equinor and bp.

They will utilise 15 MW wind turbines and are expected to play a major role in meeting New York State’s goal of reaching 70 per cent renewable energy by 2030, according to the developers.

From the marine energy market, Oslo-headquartered Fred. Olsen 1848 has launched a new solution said to unlock the potential of near- and offshore floating solar by allowing PV modules to move freely and independently. Following a plan to install the first commercial 3 MW unit in 2024, the aim is to deliver further commercial projects from 2025 and onwards.

Following a plan to install the first commercial 3 MW unit in 2024, the aim is to deliver further commercial projects from 2025 and onwards.

Join this year’s Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference, Europe’s leading event for the entire offshore energy industry, on 28 and 29 November at the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam.