The International Energy Agency (IEA) is an intergovernmental organization that provides analysis, data, and policy recommendations on the energy sector. This year marks the 50th anniversary of its establishment. Laura Cozzi — IEA’s Director of Sustainability, Technology and Outlooks — talks to Nature Energy about progress so far and the challenges ahead.

Academic and industrial researchers have gathered in Nanjing to discuss recent progress in perovskite and organic solar cells and to identify research gaps that need to be addressed to advance the maturity of these technologies.

A framework for governments to define their domestic energy transition mineral needs, sources, and contributions to the global energy transition can improve domestic policies around the world and enable greater national and global coordination to avoid supply crises and resource conflicts.

Transparency between researchers and funders is necessary to ensure interdisciplinary energy system decarbonization research is well funded, argues Isabella Gee.

Inconsistent reporting on energy materials and devices in research papers underscores the need for standardized protocols and greater transparency. Collaborative benchmarking initiatives are paving the way for more reliable and reproducible results.

Correction to: Nature Energy https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-024-01642-3, published online 16 September 2024.

In lithium-ion batteries, high charging voltages can increase the amount of lithium extracted from the positive electrode, potentially enhancing capacity. However, this also risks degradation of the positive electrode due to multiple pathways. Prior studies have identified degradation mechanisms including particle fracture, surface reconstruction, transition metal dissolution, and electrolyte oxidation

Photovoltaics are considered a promising technology to supply energy to buildings and help decarbonize the sector. Solar cell panels can be integrated in the building envelope in different ways: they can be placed on the rooftop, or as shading elements fitted to windows, or — if panels are made semi-transparent — used as glazing. While numerous studies have investigated the impact of photovoltaic integration

Photoelectrochemical devices, where light absorption and catalytic functionality are intimately integrated, promise efficient and autonomous production of solar fuels. However, few have been demonstrated beyond the small scale, and outdoor testing remains rare. Now, Grégory Cwicklinski, Muriel Matheron, Sophie Charton and colleagues at Université Montpellier, Université Grenoble Alpes and Université

Changes in the political landscape following this year’s elections in Europe and the USA will have implications for the energy transition and energy policies. This will have knock-on effects for energy researchers in terms of funding, collaboration and the direction of future energy technologies.

Community Benefit Agreements are needed to integrate community priorities into project design and mining operations on public land in the USA, argues Elizabeth Holley.

Clean energy presents opportunities to reduce poverty and improve air quality on federally recognized indigenous land in the continental United States. Analysis now provides a step change in our understanding of the potential benefits of renewable power development on reservation lands, increasing our understanding towards equitable energy transition.

Correction to: Nature Energy https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-024-01563-1, published online 21 June 2024.