Renewable Sources Lead the Energy Industry During the Pandemic: Business Casual

TB
Taylor Bagley
May 19, 2020

 

With roughly 4.2 billion people around the world subject to some form of lockdown in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the International Energy Agency said it expects global energy demand to plunge this year in what the Paris-based agency called the biggest drop since World War II. Further, according to the latest short-term energy outlook from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), amid stay-at-home policies, social distancing orders and factory closures put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, renewables generation is set to outpace coal generation in 2020 as a result of shrinking electricity demand and lower natural gas prices. Is the pandemic an impetus for permanent change within the energy industry with the potential to accelerate the transition to renewables in our country and across the globe?

On this Business Casual segment, hosts Daniel Litwin and Tyler Kern look at the current state of the energy consumables arena and discuss whether the pandemic—which has been an unprecedented catalyst for changes within many industries—will be responsible for a large scale pivot toward more climate-friendly renewable energy sources. The hosts ask questions that dig deeper into whether the pandemic will be a true impetus for change:

Is it likely that fossil fuels will return to pre-pandemic levels even if demand goes back up as expected? If this is a permanent shift, what will it look like and how will traditional fossil fuel providers adjust to and adopt more sustainable resources for energy? Will younger generations more prone to eco-conscious choices help to accelerate the transition to renewable energy? Is renewable infrastructure ready for a spike in deployment?

Coming to you on Wednesdays and Fridays each week, tune into the Business Casual podcast to stay abreast of the most recent trends and hottest topics impacting B2B. And, be sure to check out our industry pages for the latest thought leadership, news and event coverage across B2B.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Energy Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

skilled trades mentorship
Blue-Collar, High-Voltage, and High-Stakes: Rebuilding the Workforce Pipeline with Skilled Trades Mentorship at TradeMentor
April 7, 2026

The skilled trades are getting squeezed from both sides: demand is rising—driven by grid upgrades, battery storage buildouts, and the reshoring of manufacturing—while the workforce pipeline keeps narrowing. Across construction, manufacturing, and other skilled trades, employers are facing a demographic cliff: for every five workers who retire, only two replacements enter the workforce. Contractors…

Read More
Student
How Business Schools Can Scale Co-op Without Losing the Student Experience
April 6, 2026

Experiential learning has shifted from a differentiator to an expectation in higher education, especially as employers place more value on job-ready graduates who can adapt quickly to changing workplace demands. At the same time, AI is reshaping entry-level work, making durable skills like judgment, communication, and adaptability more important than routine task execution. In that…

Read More
Solo Stove
From Firepits to Full Backyard Experiences: How Solo Stove Is Rebuilding Connection Through Product Innovation
April 3, 2026

As consumer brands navigate a post-pandemic world shaped by digital saturation and rising loneliness, the most successful companies are rediscovering something analog: human connection. A 2025 World Health Organization report found that 1 in 6 people globally are affected by loneliness, highlighting a growing public health challenge tied to weaker social bonds and reduced…

Read More
Doable
Rethinking Leadership: Why “Doable” Might Be the Most Powerful Strategy in Education Today
April 3, 2026

At a time when educator burnout is rising and schools across the U.S. are facing ongoing teacher shortages, leaders are being forced to rethink what sustainable success actually looks like. Research shows that teacher attrition is closely tied to working conditions, job-related stress, and workload demands. As districts push for innovation, data-driven instruction, and…

Read More
Related
Software & Technology
Greenland Energy Corporation Is Leading Responsible Oil Development in Greenland’s Jameson Land Basin
October 30, 2025
energy
Healthcare
Solar + Storage: Your Defense Against Rising Energy Costs
October 21, 2025

Homeowners should consider their energy security as utility rates are increasing about 5% annually, outpacing inflation, and grid demand is rising due to AI data centers. There is a time-sensitive incentive to act, as federal tax credits for owning a solar system require the project to be completed by December 31st of this…

Read More
Investment
Healthcare
Business Investment in Solar and Battery Storage
October 21, 2025

Commercial and industrial electrical rates are rising, and this trend is expected to accelerate due to the massive energy demands from new data centers supporting the AI industry. For example, the Texas electrical grid is projected to need to double its capacity by 2030 to meet this new demand. This significant capital investment…

Read More