The Electrotech Revolution and its Geopolitics

The British think tank Ember has introduced the concept of the Electrotech Revolution in 2025. According to this analysis, cheap, modular renewable energies (mainly wind and solar), battery technologies and the electrification of transport and heating are rapidly disrupting the global energy landscape. Biqing Yang, energy analyst at Ember, will present the analysis and its relevance in the current moment of “the largest supply disruption in the history of global oil markets” (IEA) in consequence of the war in the Persian gulf.

Jürgen Trittin, former Minister of Environment of Germany and former foreign policy spokesperson of the Green Group in the German Parliament, will elaborate on the geopolitical aspects of the electrotech revolution. While the US has focused on fossil energy dominance, China has become the epicenter of the relevant technologies, scaling up production and lowering cost, but also threatening the market position of erstwhile European industrial champions. Together with Adam Tooze, economic historian and renowned publicist, he will discuss the geopolitical consequences of this remarkable shift and how Europe could react to the new challenges.

The discussion will be moderated by Qing Wang, an independent journalist, podcaster and social media influencer from China living in Amsterdam. Qing currently leads The Weirdo Podcast, one of China’s most popular podcasts addressing current affairs inside and outside China with a feminist and progressive angle. Qing is also an active participant in Chinese debates on social justice, gender equality and climate. 

17:30 Welcome by Imme Scholz (Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung) and Markus Hanisch (SLE/Humboldt University)

17:40 Presentation: The Electrotech Revolution - and why it matters just now

• Biqing Yang, Energy Analyst, Ember

17:55 Speech: Geopolitical consequences of the electrotech revolution

• Jürgen Trittin, former Minister of Environment, Germany 

18:10 Discussion: Reaping the benefits of the electrotech revolution to counter the energy crisis

• Jürgen Trittin, former Minister of Environment, Germany
• Adam Tooze, Economic Historian at Columbia University
• Moderation: Qing Wang, Journalist and Podcaster from China

Discussion and Q&A moderated by Qing Wang, independent Chinese Journalist and Podcaster 

19:00 Reception with drinks and light snacks

Contact: 
Christina Rode
Globalisation and Transformation Unit
E rode@BOELL.de

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