Webinar explores power of electrotechnology to support the SDGs

As part of its unwavering commitment to supporting efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the IEC Academy kicked off its new webinar series last week, IEC and the SDGs: partnering for a safe, efficient and inclusive future.

The first in the series, SDGs and electrotechnology: driving sustainable development focused on two specific SDGs: SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure). It was moderated by Sonya Bird, Vice President of International Standards at UL Standards & Engagement.

In opening the webinar, IEC President Jo Cops said IEC international standards and conformity assessment systems play a critical role in ensuring the smooth interoperability, safety and reliability of technologies central to renewable energy efficiency, energy storage and smart grids.

"We've pioneered a groundbreaking standard for rural electrification through direct current microgrids. Through these efforts we directly contribute to SDGs 7, 9 and 11, focusing on energy access, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable cities. Through international cooperation we can forge comprehensive solutions for sustainability, security and resilience.

IEC Vice President and Chair of the IEC Standardization Management Board Vimal Mahendru gave an overview of how electrotechnology is relevant to the SDGs.

"If we take electricity. Can you think of any way that a country can address poverty without using it? Or electrotechnology, that is, electricity, electronics or software. Any meaningful job or creation of value in society requires technology."

He also highlighted the example of a recently published standard for low voltage direct current, IEC 63318.

"This standard is pivotal to bringing electricity to those who have never had it before," he said.

Energy engineer and a member of the IEC TC 82 for solar PV, Tanoh Frack-William Gnangny gave a tangible example of where IEC standards contribute directly to SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy.

The Ecler Ivoire project in the Ivory Coast involved the construction of 16 mini solar PV power plants to improve access to electricity for 10,000 inhabitants in a rural area, with the help of IEC standards.

"But more needs to be done, and the ongoing development of standards will make it possible to give light and affordable energy to more people in the world."

Pascal Terrien, Chair of the IEC Smart Energy Systems Committee and Chief Standardization Officer at EDF said low carbon electricity is now seen by the International Energy Agency as the solution for decarbonization and climate change mitigation.

"We are now faced with a more complex energy system and we need to take into account this new complexity. In the IEC Smart Energy Systems Committee we try to understand the needs of our stakeholders and look at innovations in technologies, the market and of course different policies and regulations. We then map existing standards and try to fill the gaps of what else needs to be done."

Dr Ian Opperman is an international thought leader on the digital economy, helping governments accelerate digital service delivery, and is Industry Professor at the University of Sydney. He talked about the importance of understanding data to address the SDGs.

"We can use data and ways of understanding data, to better understand the world around us, and to understand root causes of significant problems, and then to start to explore. Well, what if we did this, what if we did that?

"If we bring more ways of seeing and understanding the complex pathways between what we do and the real-world outcomes those pathways of impact, we stand a much better chance of understanding than if we do these things at a system at a component level. Data is a great way of understanding those impact pathways, and AI is a really important way of dealing with the complexity of those real-world outcomes."

He also highlighted the relevance of the work being done in the joint IEC and ISO committee for AI, SC 42.

"The ISO/IEC 42001 standard released recently talks about the management of AI systems and is underpinned by some other great standards around data usage," he said.

Abderrahim Taibi, General Director of the Moroccan Standardization Institute (IMANOR) and the Secretary of the IEC National Electrotechnical Committee (COMELEC) talked about the challenges for developing countries and how it was necessary to not only have access to new technologies but also the methods and skills.

"Our companies need to understand the requirements of the markets now and the future and the technical requirements as well. Standards are the bridge for our companies to access international markets and be able to benefit from new technologies."

The webinar concluded with some powerful reminders of where the world is at with regards to the SDGs and what needs to be done.

"Sustainability is not a spectator sport," said Mahendru. "We cannot sit on the side and say, hey, the government is addressing it, or IEC is addressing, or somebody else is doing it. If we want to create a better world, we need to feel uncomfortable with our current situation, and we need to get involved.

Opperman echoed his thoughts.

"It's wonderful that we're getting passionate about this, but it's not enough. We will reach a point very soon where there are really important decisions we need to make, which can only be made if we can make data driven evidence-based decisions around what we need to do.

Watch the replay here.

Learn more about the panelists.

The IEC Academy IEC and the SDGs webinar series aims to explore the role IEC can play in helping countries with the effective implementation of SDGs. By highlighting the practical applications of standards in addressing priority SDGs, the series contributes to informed decision-making and policy development. It is hoped that this series will inform the IEC community about the various processes in relation to the SDGs and actively contribute to the UN Summit for the Future.

Learn more about IEC Academy webinars.

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