The World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified 10 emerging technologies that could reshape the global energy sector by 2030, supporting cleaner power generation, stronger energy security and more resilient electricity systems.

The report, Top 10 Emerging Technologies for Planetary Health: Energy Edition, produced in collaboration with Frontiers, examines innovations with the potential to address growing energy demand, supply chain vulnerabilities and climate-related pressures on infrastructure.

The 10 technologies highlighted are calcined-clay limestone cement (LC3), virtual power plants and grids, batteries made from abundant materials, thermal energy storage or heat batteries, perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells, advanced subsea high-voltage direct current (HVDC) interconnectors, modular nuclear reactors, building-integrated photovoltaics, floating offshore wind and next-generation lithium batteries.

The technologies come at a time when global energy systems face increasing pressure from rising demand for electric vehicles, data centres and cooling, alongside volatile energy prices and concentrated supply chains. Extreme weather events, including storms, droughts and heatwaves, are also placing additional strain on electricity networks.

The report highlights the importance of integrating these innovations rather than deploying them in isolation. Advanced subsea cables, for example, could improve electricity transmission between regions, while battery technologies would help store the power they deliver. Similarly, thermal energy storage could absorb surplus electricity when smart grids direct available power to heating systems.

Together, the technologies address three major challenges facing energy systems: generating sufficient electricity, transporting it efficiently and storing it until demand increases.

“Energy is not abstract. It determines if families can keep their homes cool during a heatwave, whether businesses can stay open and whether children grow up with clean air,” said Sebastian Buckup, Managing Director at the World Economic Forum.

“That means clean energy alone is not enough. A technology that is expensive and relies on limited resources will not scale, and one that doesn’t scale won’t change anything for the people who need it.”

The report also stresses the importance of accelerating the commercial deployment of emerging technologies and strengthening collaboration between researchers, businesses and governments.

“Many of the energy solutions we need already exist in labs. The challenge is getting them into homes, factories, and power grids fast enough to matter,” said Frederick Fenter, Chief Executive Editor of Frontiers.

“Open science speeds this up by letting engineers, business leaders and governments build on shared research. This report puts trusted evidence in the hands of those deciding how to strengthen energy security while reducing harm to the climate.”

The WEF's assessment highlights how combining advances in renewable energy, electricity networks, storage and nuclear technologies could support more reliable and sustainable energy systems by the end of the decade. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service