Global Scans · Energy · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: By 2025 solar energy will be the cheapest energy option globally. In 2040, oil and natural gas are expected to make up nearly 60 percent of global supplies, while nuclear and renewables will be approaching 25 percent. Improvements in energy efficiency in lighting and home appliances are expected to continue to push residential electricity use lower. The burning of coal will fall out of favor. Transportation energy consumption will be rising in correlation to growth in automated vehicles in the coming years.

• [New] North America is predicted to dominate globally in 2026 with a share of about 40.1%, as it has one of the world's most advanced maritime industries, supported by increasing investments in naval modernization, commercial shipping, offshore energy, and port digitalization. Persistence Market Research
• [New] On storage, NYSERDA plans to procure 3 GW of new bulk energy storage through Index Storage Credit contracts by 2028 as part of the broader goal of deploying 6 GW of total storage by 2030. Constellation
• [New] Annual investment in nuclear energy needs to triple to USD 250 billion a year to meet projections of a more than tripling of capacity by 2050. World Nuclear News
• [New] Digital technologies, including simulation and digital twin solutions, could reduce energy system costs by US$ 80 billion annually by 2040 through improved grid optimization and predictive maintenance. Persistence Market Research
• [New] Victoria's renewable energy transition is accelerating to meet ambitious climate targets, with renewable electricity expected to reach 95% by 2035 alongside significant growth in energy storage, electrification of transport, and increased electricity demand. Sustainability Victoria
• [New] Goldman Sachs estimates a U.S. data center power shortfall of about 9.3 gigawatts in 2026, widening toward 45 gigawatts by 2028, and the Department of Energy projects data centers could consume up to 12% of all U.S. electricity by 2028. Thunderbird Products
• [New] The hydrogen power cells are being supplied by UK-based clean energy company GeoPura, and the HPUs will be installed and managed by a subsidiary of Aggreko called Film and TV Services. GolfBusinessNews.com
• [New] The UAE has committed USD 163 billion to clean energy projects by 2050, aiming to generate 50% of its energy from renewable sources. Straits Research
• [New] Lithium demand is projected to increase more than six-fold by 2050 because it is an essential component of rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. News-Medical
• [New] Google pointed to its agreement with Shell to support grid stability and add clean power to the UK grid, claiming its UK operations are projected to run at or near 95% carbon-free energy in 2026. theregister
• [New] The International Energy Agency projects that clean energy infrastructure investment will exceed US$ 2 trillion annually by 2030. Persistence Market Research
• [New] As EV platforms, next-generation energy systems, and precision manufacturing impose higher material performance thresholds, synthetic rubber's formulation flexibility will entrench its dominance further through 2033. Persistence Market Research
• [New] The largest project selected is a three-year, $60 million investment in nuclear energy that will harness AI to help deliver nuclear facilities faster and safer while cutting operating costs to provide Americans with affordable, reliable, and secure energy. WEAR2
• [New] Unexpected supply disruptions and a renewed focus on energy security have shaped global energy markets in 2026, elevating both costs and domestic resource availability as headline considerations for policymakers, power generators and the public. Beveridge & Diamond PC
• [New] Sodium-ion batteries, advanced by startups like Alsym Energy, showed promise for industrial backup power and data center reliability as of early 2026, leveraging abundant materials for cost-effective, low-fire-risk storage that supports daily charge-discharge cycles. Grokipedia
• [New] The Fortis Series, a flagship product line, will deliver high-power, compact battery energy storage systems designed specifically for data centers and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) needs, reducing fire risks in facilities with concentrated power demands. Grokipedia
• [New] EticaAG, a Pennsylvania-based startup, plans to introduce its non-flammable lithium battery systems in 2026, marking a significant advancement in safe energy storage solutions tailored for high-risk environments. Grokipedia
• [New] Companies like CATL announced commercial-scale deployment of sodium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage systems, highlighting their affordability due to abundant raw materials and projected costs nearing lithium-ion parity by mid-decade. Grokipedia
• [New] In 2026, the battery industry anticipated a milestone with the first large-scale integration of silicon-based batteries into electric vehicles (EVs), marking a significant breakthrough in addressing longstanding limitations in energy storage. Grokipedia
• [New] IBC 2026 will focus on the critical transition from energy development to industrial expansion, exploring how policy alignment, infrastructure investment, and private sector capability can unlock long-term value across regional supply chains. International Business Conference - Suriname 2026

Last updated: 31 July 2026