19 | |MARCH - APRIL 2026The article is based on an interview between Energy Tech Review Latin America and Brendan Andrews.The IRA is invigorating the domestic supply chain but is not without challenges. Reliable partnerships are paramount, given the relatively long lead time to build and increase capacity. Organizations must partner with the right companies to meet their needs and provide the necessary expertise.For batteries, in particular, there has been a lot of research and development, but it will take time to scale U.S. production. Most of the raw materials for battery technology and cell production are imported from China, so building a resilient supply chain with traceability is essential. The right partners with dedicated expertise and a global footprint, like Bureau Veritas, can help with traceability and ensure materials are sourced appropriately. In the meantime, other countries are starting to produce and distribute these raw materials, offering more supply chain opportunities in the future. It's going to take several years for production to ramp up in the U.S., but through research and development, there are some great technologies on the horizon, especially in the energy storage and green hydrogen space. Legislation contributes to the continued progress and overall reception and consumption of renewable energy. Public awareness is critical to a successful energy transition. Rather than thinking short-term, individuals should feel like part of the solution for the long term. This awareness also feeds back into public policy and government influence.Ultimately, the renewable energy industry is young, and there is an opportunity for education across the entire ecosystem, from policymakers to manufacturers and consumers. Leaders and industry experts need to help stakeholders understand these new energy sources and what's required for their success. What forms of clean energy are leading in the energy transition?In the U.S., most of our renewables today are derived from solar. Looking ahead, offshore wind, particularly on the eastern seaboard, is becoming the backbone of the energy transition. We'll see extreme growth in this area, from coast to coast. The idea of harnessing power from the sun and the wind is not new, but it's essential to be able to store, transmit, and distribute it accordingly. Connecting solar and wind resources to the grid will be complicated. It is increasingly important to strengthen the electric grid to handle new energy and power conversion from these new energy sources. What new technologies are supporting this transition?The energy landscape is transforming. Variable renewables and energy storage technologies are becoming more efficient and cost-effective alternatives, resulting in new opportunities across the globe. Technology will play a vital role in the renewable transition and the increased demand for energy storage systems. Many primary and backup energy storage technologies developed and manufactured in the U.S. offer safe, scalable, efficient, and sustainable solutions. They are positioned to deliver longer-duration storage and provide innovative systems to utility, commercial, industrial, and residential consumers. This includes enhancing carbon capture technologies and storage capacity. Long-duration energy storage technologies beyond the four-to-six-hour range are critical to support energy intermittency.As energy storage technologies advance, complexity and safety become more of a factor in determining the best solution. With a global supply chain, traceability and inspection technologies are also essential to maintain compliance and build trust as the demand for renewable energy grows. In the next five years, how will the industry evolve?The industry is ripe for growth over the next five years. Technology, partnerships, incentives and initiatives, and public demand will continue to drive the industry forward. Wind and solar, in particular, are positioned to dominate new power generation capacity in the coming decade and beyond. These technologies are on track to strengthen and diversify U.S. power generation.To achieve our energy transition goals, battery innovation, and storage must be top of mind to maintain a balance of supply and demand within the energy system. Given this, battery technology development in the near term is crucial to global decarbonization strategy. Additionally, battery cell manufacturing must become more geographically diverse to increase access and build a more resilient supply chain. The U.S. must substantially increase large-scale installed battery storage over the next decade to meet the demand. Technology, supply chain, and government policies are the three pillars supporting the energy transition. Industry leaders, government officials, organizations, and individuals all play a role in creating a better, cleaner future. Technology, supply chain, and government policies are the three pillars supporting the energy transition. Industry leaders, government officials, organizations, and individuals all play a role in creating a better, cleaner future.
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