The energy sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by rapid global electrification and the accelerating growth of data centers. Artificial intelligence is a major factor behind the rising electricity demand, with data centers expected to contribute over 20 percent of total demand growth in advanced economies by 2030. This increase presents both new investment opportunities and considerable challenges. Data center operators require large volumes of clean, reliable power with minimal delay, placing pressure on energy providers to respond more quickly than traditional energy market timelines allow. The differing pace between the fast-moving technology sector and the more deliberate energy sector creates a complex and urgent dynamic.

These developments are closely linked to broader energy transition objectives, including the expansion of carbon markets, adoption of low-carbon fuels such as hydrogen, and the scaling of renewable energy projects. This training provides an integrated overview of these critical issues, equipping professionals with the knowledge to navigate the technical, financial, and regulatory complexities of supporting a sustainable and resilient energy future.

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Course outline:

Energy Transition:

• What is Energy Transition?
• Climate scenarios and key drivers
• The future of energy systems

Data Center Power Demand and Decarbonization

• Can the power sector respond to rapid data center energy needs?
• How much electricity will future data centers consume?
• Can data centers fully rely on solar or wind with battery storage for their energy demands?
• What role can Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) play in powering data centers?
• How quickly can new gas-fired generation meet the growth in data center power requirements?

Carbon Markets

• How carbon markets work (Compliance and Voluntary)
• Role of carbon markets in reducing emissions
• Future trends in carbon markets

Regulation

• Role of government and polices in the energy transition
• Regulatory frameworks for renewable energy and carbon markets

Sustainable Finance Strategies - The Future of Clean Energy Investment

• Assessing energy transition and climate risks in financial institutions
• Sustainability data disclosures, carbon pricing impacts, and government policy influences
• Key strategies for corporations and financial institutions to thrive in a changing landscape

Carbon Capture:

• Technologies, cost, barriers and market trends

Carbon Intensities

• Carbon-accounted commodities and carbon price premiums

Low-Carbon Fuels

• Hydrogen: production methods, applications, and economics including methanol and ammonia
• Biofuels: types, production processes, and their role in reducing emissions

Clean Technologies and Efficiency

• Renewables: solar PV, wind power, and supply chain factors
• Energy storage and electricity transmission: their impact on accelerating the energy transition