Ankush Malik, Chief Operating Officer, Juniper Green Energy.

What are the primary drivers of the global shift toward green energy alternatives?

Growing public awareness of climate change and the environmental impact of fossil fuels is driving demand for sustainable energy solutions, with more people embracing clean energy options. Simultaneously, advancements in energy technologies, including solar panels, battery storage, and electric vehicles, are making renewable energy more accessible and cost-effective. Supporting this shift, global agreements like the Paris Agreement have established targets for reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy, while governments worldwide are enacting policies and regulations to further incentivise the adoption of clean energy sources.

What are the emerging technologies that have the most potential to accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources?

Latest technologies are transforming the renewable energy landscape, addressing critical challenges such as energy storage, efficiency, and integration. Advanced battery storage systems, such as solid-state batteries, offer higher energy density, faster charging, and enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, addressing storage challenges. Flow batteries are ideal for large-scale energy storage, ensuring better integration of intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Additionally, repurposing second-life EV batteries for grid storage helps extend their utility while reducing waste. In parallel, smart grids powered by AI and machine learning optimise energy distribution, predict demand patterns, and integrate distributed energy resources, making grid management more efficient. The Internet of Things (IoT) enables real-time energy monitoring and management, while blockchain facilitates decentralised energy markets and peer-to-peer energy trading, enhancing grid flexibility and consumer participation.

Advancements in photovoltaic cells (PV), including the use of perovskite material for solar cells, are increasing the efficiency of energy production while driving down costs, making solar energy more accessible. Wind energy innovations are also pushing boundaries, with enhanced turbine designs and the development of offshore wind farms improving energy capture and efficiency.

What innovations in grid infrastructure are needed to support the widespread adoption of renewable energy?

The adoption of renewable energy at a large scale requires substantial innovations in grid infrastructure to ensure stability, efficiency, and resilience. Developing interconnected grids, such as regional super grids, enhances energy resilience and stability by distributing renewable energy across larger areas and reducing the risk of localised disruptions. The integration of smart grid technologies, powered by AI, IoT, and machine learning, enables dynamic grid management, optimising energy flows and predicting demand patterns. However, as grids become smarter and more interconnected, cybersecurity measures are essential to protect against threats and maintain grid resilience.

Large-scale storage solutions must be developed to store excess energy generated during peak production times and discharge it during periods of high demand, ensuring grid stability. Additionally, Smart Metering Technology helps in real-time monitoring of energy consumption, offering valuable data to implement better demand response strategies and improve overall grid management.

What are the most significant challenges in scaling green energy technologies globally?

The global expansion of green technologies faces various key hurdles, with energy infrastructure gaps, investment challenges, and supply chain issues standing out as critical concerns. In many regions, the existing energy infrastructure is inadequate to support large-scale renewable energy deployment. Upgrading grid systems to integrate renewable sources requires substantial investments, which can be particularly challenging in developing economies with limited financial resources. The high upfront costs of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables further compound these difficulties, often deterring potential investors. Additionally, the production of renewable technologies relies heavily on scarce raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are concentrated in specific regions. This creates supply chain vulnerabilities that could hamper efforts to scale green energy globally.

Policy and regulatory barriers add another layer of complexity to the renewable energy transition. Inconsistent or outdated regulations can slow the adoption of clean technologies, as governments may lack cohesive, long-term strategies to drive the shift. Supportive policies, financial incentives, and clear regulatory frameworks are essential to encourage investment and innovation in green energy. However, these frameworks vary significantly across countries, making coordinated global progress more difficult. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including international collaboration, advancements in technology, and the development of stable and efficient infrastructure to pave the way for a sustainable energy future.

How do you address concerns about the environmental impacts of manufacturing renewable energy components, like solar panels and wind turbines?

The manufacturing of renewable energy components has environmental impacts, including resource extraction, energy-intensive production processes, the use of toxic chemicals, and waste generation. Mining for metals and rare earth elements, required for these components, can lead to habitat destruction and pollution, while manufacturing can be carbon-intensive. Additionally, the disposal of decommissioned components, especially turbine blades and solar panels, presents recycling challenges.

One approach is to focus on improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes, which can reduce the use of raw materials. Advances in material science are also crucial, as they lead to the development of more environmentally friendly components with longer lifespans. Additionally, recycling and reusing materials from decommissioned renewable energy components can significantly reduce environmental impacts. Programs that focus on the circular economy, such as recovering valuable metals from old panels and turbines, can help address resource scarcity while minimising waste. It’s also important to conduct comprehensive lifecycle assessments and ensure that they contribute to long-term environmental benefits and minimise adverse effects.

(The views expressed in interviews are personal, not necessarily of the organisations represented)