- Industry experts examine role of innovation in making utility-scale clean energy a reality on day three of WFES 2012
Although barriers remain, the potential for renewable energy to meet large-scale power requirements is clear and the necessary technology is being developed much faster than we think, according to industry leaders speaking on day three of the 2012 World Future Energy Summit being held in Abu Dhabi.
At the plenary session Technology Leaders in Future Energy – Insights from the Innovators, energy experts representing a range of industry viewpoints debated two key issues confronting decision makers: the cost competitiveness of renewable energy compared with fossil fuels, and the technological innovations needed to promote wider adoption of renewable energy sources.
Andrew Beebe, COO of Suntech, the world’s largest producer of solar panels, said that cost-competitive utility-scale renewable energy was already within reach.
“Ten years ago years ago we were saying stop talking in kilowatts and start talking in megawatts and people thought we were crazy. Today there is around 35-40 gigawatts of capacity.”
Arguing that the expansion of renewable energy should dovetail with the role of traditional oil and gas, he said:
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