Renewable energy is prominent as Power Technology lists the top five terms tweeted in Q2 2020, based on data from GlobalData’s Influencer Platform. The top tweeted terms are the trending industry discussions happening on Twitter by key individuals (influencers) as tracked by the platform.

1. Renewable Energy & Clean Energy – 1,255 & 1,116 mentions

Renewable energy sources producing more power than coal, and growing clean energy investments, were some popularly discussed topics in Q2 2020. According to an article shared by Bill McKibben, an environmentalist, author and educator, renewable sources including solar, wind and hydropower generated more electricity than coal-based plants every single day in April, in the US. The move away from coal was a result of lower gas prices, warmer weather and significant amount of new renewable capacity, the article noted.

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Mark Z Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, further discussed how renewable energy was the only way forward in a post-pandemic world. Changing the world’s energy map seems costly but is actually cheap, if natural disasters and the cost of treating the diseases they cause were factored in, the article noted.

In other news, Mike Hudema, the climate campaigner, discussed how countries such as South Korea and Paris were actively investing in clean energy initiatives. For instance, South Korea covered its bike lanes with solar panels, while Paris aimed at no diesel cars from 2024, 100% clean energy buses by 2025, and also implementing no petrol cars from 2030.

2. Climate Action – 1,095 mentions

New climate packages to cut emissions, new climate action plans, and businesses having pivoted hard towards renewables and climate action performing well despite the crisis, were some popularly discussed topics during the second quarter. According to an article shared by Assaad Razzouk, a clean energy entrepreneur and investor, Denmark reinforced green commitment and climate action with its energy islands plan. The article noted that the offshore wind project cost up to €37bn and will be the country’s biggest infrastructure investment.

Chris Fox, a climate change activist, meanwhile shared an article on how coal is losing its financing from other big banks such as Westpac Banking Corp. The bank announced plans to exit a thermal coal project in Australia as part of its climate action strategy.

In other news, James Murray, an energy editor, shared an article on how Iberdrola and Ørsted maintained buoyant green growth objectives despite Covid-19 headwinds. The article further detailed that the companies’ quarterly results suggested that they remained upbeat.

3. Energy Transition – 932 mentions

Impacts of the pandemic on the energy transition, how countries are addressing the varied issues, plans and the impact of the oil crisis on clean energy efforts, were popularly discussed in the second quarter. According to an article shared by Ed Crooks, vice chair, Americas, the historic pause for oil demand across the globe will impact clean energy transition efforts. For instance, a new financing model for battery energy storage systems has to be in place to reduce energy demand, improve renewables integration, and reduce your carbon footprint, among others.

In other news, Morgan D Bazilian, director of the Payne Institute, was interviewed on why the economic crisis could speed up transition to renewable energy. According to a news poll for CBC News, 79% of Albertans believed that the province should transition toward renewable energy, while 51% believed that the province should also transition away from coal.

4. Sustainability – 924 mentions

The response of governments and the integration of energy and sustainability issues into recovery plans, were popularly discussed during the quarter. According to an article shared by Fatih Birol, an economist and energy expert, the integration of energy and sustainability issues was crucial for accelerating clean energy transitions. The International Energy Agency (IEA) will provide a special report on sustainable recovery and policy advice, Fatih added.

COVID-19 has shifted the social media focus on the sustainable energy sector, according to Dr Thomas Hillig, an energy consultant. As travel bans loosen up, adaptability will be key, the article noted.

In other news, Thomas Hillig tweeted on how for many organic farmers in Germany, solar energy happened to be an integrated part of their eco supply chain.

5. Wind – 797 mentions

Wind and solar being cheap sources of power, plunging wind, solar, storage prices, and wind and solar innovations, were popularly discussed in Q2. According to an article shared by Silvio Marcacci, a clean energy advocate, plunging renewable energy prices mean wind, solar, and energy storage can provide 90% of US electricity by 2035, without additional cost.

In other news, Arik Ring, an energy engineering expert, tweeted that wind and solar technologies are racing forward in energy transition today. Arik is of the opinion that as technology improves, wind turbines are get bigger, thereby driving down costs of power. In fact, in Europe, offshore wind is on the path becoming cheaper to natural gas. Likewise, US produced more electricity from renewable sources than coal for 40 days straight in April due to greater capacity and lower prices.

https://twitter.com/Silvio_Marcacci/status/1270392389597716480