The ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) participated in the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC) Annual Conference 2024 and the 9^th Institute Energy Economics of Japan (IEEJ)/APERC International Energy Symposium.

Taking the theme of “Implementing the Energy Transition,” the APERC Annual Conference 2024 brought together global energy and policymaking experts to explore the trade-offs and opportunities with decarbonising our energy systems. It consists of three sessions, each focusing on decarbonising transport sector, scaling up decarbonisation technologies, and ensuring electric grid reliability.

Prior to the Annual Conference, Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE, joined the APERC Advisory Board Meeting in his capacity as APERC Advisory Board member. The Meeting was a closed-door discussion forum between APERC team led by Dr. Kazutomo Irie and Advisory Board members, including Mr. Tatsuya Terazawa, Chairman & CEO of IEEJ, Dr. Hyun-Jae Kim, President of Korea Energy Environment Institute (KEEI), Prof. Kulyos Audomvongseree, Director of Energy Research Institute (ERI), Chulalongkorn University, Dr Sanjayan Velautham, COO of Energy Commission, Malaysia, and Dr. Cary Neal Bloyd, Senior Advisor of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).

Photo 1. Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Executive Director of ACE, shared his perspectives and advises during the APERC Advisory Board Meeting 2024

In the Annual Conference, Dr. Nuki spoke in the 3^rd Session, which took the theme of “Ensuring Electric Grid Reliability during the Energy Transition.” The session is moderated by Mr Alexander Izhbuldin, Senior Researcher of APERC. Other speakers in the session are Dr. Geoff Bongers, Gamma Energy Technology, Australia, Mr Xueqin Tian, State Grid Economics and Technological Research Institute, China, and Christian Roatta, UL Solutions, USA.

Dr. Nuki shared a presentation on “Southeast Asia perspective on grid reliability.” He highlighted the status and efforts of ASEAN in deploying renewable energy. The importance of power grid assessment and advancement were particularly underscored. In deploying huge variable renewable energy (VRE) into the power system, he reminded several challenges, citing the experience from Viet Nam post solar boom in the country. He emphasised the importance of having a strong and reliable power grid, with potential support from regional interconnectivity, to address such challenges.

Photo 2. Dr. Nuki Agya Utama presented “Southeast Asia perspective on grid reliability” at the APERC Annual Conference 2024

ACE also participated in the 9^th IEEJ/APERC International Energy Symposium. Taking the theme of “Complexity of Achieving Energy Transition under Multiple Pathways,” the Symposium has three engaging sessions: “Technology enablers for energy transition strategy,” “Build-up of an ecosystem for carbon circularity,” and “Sustainable supplies and use of critical materials.”

Both the Annual Conference and Symposium presented insightful presentations and discussions centred in pressing issues for energy transition. Among others, the importance of storage and grid for the deployment of variable renewable energy, such as solar and wind—all of which would require sustainably supply of critical minerals. Issues on the technology readiness and cost of energy transition were also highlighted.

Energy transition is inevitable. Nevertheless, the realism of energy transition also needs to be assessed and communicated properly. ACE remains committed to play such a challenging task, playing its role as regional think tank and catalyst. Collaboration with other institutions, such as APERC, would be of paramount importance.