Based on Covid-19 first analysis of impacts on the transport fuel sector, this presentation urged policymakers to act at two different timescales: 1) to provide support to meet short- and medium-term goals, such as assist fuel companies to overcome the collapse of demand and the economic shock, preserving direct and indirect jobs and business; and 2) provide support to meet medium- and long-term goals, such as to increase the ambition and promote higher amounts of domestic renewable and low carbon fuels, injecting economic resources on green domestic supply and conversion chains.

In our response strategies to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are effectively undertaking a massive experiment where we disrupt our entire economy and how we work and live within it. This has implications for our health and infrastructure, as well as gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) linkages. Better health is a measure of progress in diverse dimensions, including sustainable energy, cities, transport, and GESI. Being better prepared and learning how to become more resilient, is a more viable long-term option than waiting for disasters to occur.

Asia is the region with the most frequent and most severe natural disasters in the world. With the coming of climate change, disaster as typhoon, flood, droughts are becoming more intense while threatening the safe operation of the power system. Rather than a passive response to climate change with a big loss of economy, we proposed a more proactive whole process management, consisting of planning, construction, and emergency management.

Building resilience and future-proofing systems to climate risks are difficult. We talked about the types of risks we need to prepare for, and some key solutions to unlock resilience, including technology for diagnosis, finance, and operations to create buffer and agility, and partnerships to share the costs and risks. We provided examples of how these solutions have been used to improve resilience.

Ocean Sun is a technology provider for floating PV systems and markets a proprietary technology based on photovoltaic modules mounted on a hydro-elastic membrane. The certified and robust platform minimizes the use of materials and enables direct cooling of the PV cells increasing the power output. Ocean Sun has since 2017 operated several pilot and demonstration facilities in Europe and Asia.

Creating a truly sustainable hydrogen economy is conceptually simple: use surplus renewable energy to produce H2, ammonia (NH3), methanol, etc. (“energy to X”), and sell into existing global supply chains. Offshore renewable energy, starting with solar and wind, is an obvious option for many of ADB’s member countries due to the upward scalability. Ocean “energy to X” can be thought of as a mining industry which is circular rather than linear, and which is truly sustainable and renewable.

An Binh, a small Vietnamese island, relies heavily on diesel generators for electricity during the 4-month rainy season. Locals are familiar with renewable energy, as they use a solar energy system. However, when the sun does not shine, the remote island’s climate and economic resilience is hampered by dependence on fossil fuels and oil price fluctuation. Harnessing marine power using a patented wave energy converter is Korean company INGINE’s solution to this issue. More predictable, waves complement solar in providing clean and stable energy for An Binh year-round.

While first-cost typically governs single building development, entire new districts are able to reach net-zero or near-zero energy/emissions status through technology integration and design across multiple systems on a site. With project examples from China, India, and the United States, this presentation explored the technologies for efficiency, district energy systems, and ownership models that enable breakthrough energy performance.

Cities and industry play a pivotal role in driving a comprehensive energy transformation within Asian economies. The session unpacked the energy transformation outside of the power sector, shared case studies from low-carbon cities in China and new business models that promote the energy transformation of manufacturing in India.

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