In this presentation, Mark Cuthbertson examines renewable energy story topics that have potential to make headlines in 2017. Topics include prevailing forms of technology and major energy developments in foreign countries.

1. Potential Renewable
Energy Stories in
2017
MARK CUTHBERTSON

2. Drone Involvement
Drones have been a recurring media focal point in recent years, with
stories commonly focusing on their potentially negative presence in
communities both local and abroad. However, these unusual flying
contraptions present just as much positive potential for renewable
energy practices. Considering they were used in solar cost reduction
and in the aiding of offshore wind farms in 2016, the future of drone-
related sustainability seems promising.
Source: Renewable Energy World

3. Offshore Wind Power
As a result of coastal state involvement in supporting the
Block Island Wind Farm, the general US offshore wind market
saw a marked increase in activity. This entity will likely
continue to gain momentum and subsequent media coverage
throughout the year as it forges new partnerships and
impacts policies at the state level.
Sources: Renewable Energy World,
Wikipedia

4. India as a Solar Giant
India mostly dominated the solar sector in 2016. The country is
currently “mobilizing to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plans to
boost solar capacity in the country to 100 GW by 2022, if not sooner.”
With Modi’s ambitions in mind, India will almost certainly be a beacon
of national attention in 2017 energy media.
Source: Renewable Energy World

5. Corporate Involvement
Last year, the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance (REBA) formed and
provided a chance for corporations to “purchase clean energy for their
operations.” The group currently hopes to drive around 60 GW of US
corporate renewable energy by 2025, with representatives of Facebook
and Microsoft reportedly joining its initial announcement.
It would not be surprising to see REBA--and groups like it--furthering the
conversation on this prevailing approach to corporate renewable energy
buying in 2017.
Source: Renewable Energy World

6. Pay-as-you-go startups in
Africa
Thanks to the implementation of pay-as-you-go solar startup companies,
parts of Africa saw major advancements in their solar energy
infrastructure in 2016. One such developer, d.light, silenced the odds by
raising close to $22.5 million in venture capital. This model merges solar
PV, storage, and mobile pay technology, essentially making electricity
more affordable for customers.
This hybrid method has potential to catch fire in 2017 as it moves to
other regions and gains helpful investments along the way.
Source: Renewable Energy World