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Rockefeller Foundation Green Power Gap: 8,700 Terawatt-Hours of Clean Energy Needed in 72 Countries, including 44 in Africa

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Green Power Gap estimates the renewable energy capacity that must be generated by 2050 for these countries to meet both global development and climate goalsOutlines four new pathways from energy poverty to close the gap for 3.8 billion people

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Rockefeller Foundation released a new report today that calculates an 8,700 terawatt-hour (TWh) “Green Power Gap” across 72, more than half of which are in Africa and nearly a quarter in Asia. Currently home to 3.8 billion people, these 72 countries must deploy 8,700 TWh of clean power by 2050, which is approximately twice the United States’ annual generation, in order to leapfrog from more traditional, costly, and inefficient power systems into a future of energy abundance. The Green Power Gap: Achieving an Energy Abundant Future for Everyone also identifies a green window of opportunity and sets out four new pathways to close the gap.

“The fate of 3.8 billion people’s lives and the planet itself will depend on whether we can close the Green Power Gap,” said Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. “History makes clear that people and countries will pursue opportunity regardless of the climate consequences. The only way to achieve the world’s climate goals is scaling solutions and mobilizing the capital needed to ensure 3.8 billion people have enough clean electricity to lift up their lives and livelihoods.”

The 72 countries analyzed in the report represent 68 that fall below the Modern Energy Minimum (MEM), which is defined as having an average annual per capita usage of less than 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) necessary to lift people out of poverty, create jobs, and drive economic development. The report also includes four additional countries* that have surpassed the MEM threshold but are included in the “energy-poor” category because significant proportions of their populations still live well below the MEM.

With only eight out of the 72 countries in Latin America & the Caribbean (Bolivia, El Salvador*, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua) and the Middle East (Syria and Yemen), Asia is home to 20 countries, and 44 are in Africa.

Africa:

1)  Angola

2)  Benin

3)  Burkina Faso

4)  Burundi

5)  Cabo Verde

6)  Cameroon

7)  Central African Republic

8)  Chad

9)  Comoros

10)  Congo

11)  Côte d’Ivoire

12)  Djibouti

13)  Democratic Republic of Congo

14)  Equatorial Guinea

15)  Eritrea

16)  Ethiopia

17)  Gabon*

18)  Gambia

19)  Ghana

20)  Guinea

21)  Guinea-Bissau

22)  Liberia

23)  Lesotho

 

24)  Kenya

25)  Madagascar

26)  Malawi

27)  Mali

28)  Mauritania

29)  Morocco

30)  Mozambique

31)  Niger

32)  Nigeria         

33)  Rwanda

34)  Sao Tome & Principe

35)  Senegal

36)  Sierra Leone

37)  Somalia

38)  South Sudan

39)  Sudan

40)  Tanzania

41)  Togo

42)  Uganda

43)  Zambia

44)  Zimbabwe

 

“While an energy transition is already taking hold in many advanced and emerging markets, far too many people in Africa are being left behind,” said William Asiko, Vice President and head of The Rockefeller Foundation’s Africa Regional Office. “The good news is that we are seeing big and bold ambitions emerge, such as the recent commitment by the World Bank and the African Development Bank to electrify 300 million Africans by 2030. These kinds of commitments, coupled with Africa’s superior renewable energy resources, present a unique opportunity for the continent to create diverse, flexible, and reliable renewable energy systems – and we believe quantifying the Green Power Gap is an important step towards collective action.”

Calculating the Green Power Gap
For this report, The Rockefeller Foundation sorts the 193 UN member countries into three categories: (1) “Advanced economies,” which are the 55 countries defined as high-income by the World Bank; (2) “Energy-poor countries,” representing the 68 energy poor countries, plus the additional four* identified above; and (3) “Emerging economies,” representing the 66 countries that fall between the two categories (this group also saw their consumption increase by nearly 4,000 kWh per annum over the past 50 years, as compared to “energy-poor” countries that only saw a 500 kWh increase).

The Green Power Gap was calculated by determining how much carbon the world can emit while keeping global temperatures below 1.75°C and while accounting for population growth and development goals. It also assumes that the 55 “advanced” and 66 “emerging” countries will achieve net-zero emissions in 2050 and 2060, respectively.

Based on those calculations, this scenario’s remaining 207 gigatons (GT) carbon budget allows considerable room for the 72 “energy-poor” countries to grow. Focusing on the power sector alone, fossil fuel generation can grow moderately in the near term, but in the long term, green power must become dominant. For example, in 2030, about two-thirds of the total generation could still come from fossil fuels in energy-poor countries. But by 2040, that share would need to fall to 30%, and net zero must be achieved by 2070.

Four Pathways to Close the Gap
Achieving energy abundance will require a blend of technology, but that blend will differ heavily based on individual country resources and needs. Existing power system assets and the availability of renewable energy assets in each country will determine which type of green leapfrog opportunities are most viable. Based on this, the report identifies four pathways to clean energy abundance enabled by modern technology. These are:

Gradual grid greening: This pathway is appropriate in countries like India that have developed grids and considerable centralized fossil fuel generation assets.Mixed grid renewable evolution: This pathway is appropriate in countries like Nigeria with limited grid and generation capacity but higher population density.Decentralized solar storage: This pathway is appropriate in countries such as Burkina Faso, which have excellent solar resources but where grid development and access to other renewable resources are limited.Decentralized renewable mix: This pathway is suitable for countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo with limited grid and generation assets but with diverse high-quality renewable resources available.

“Closing the Green Power Gap is in every country’s interest,” said Dr. Joseph Curtin, Managing Director of The Rockefeller Foundation’s Power and Climate team and co-author of the report. “Also, these 72 countries have superior renewable resources when compared to countries that are already deploying renewables at scale. So rather than follow the path taken by many advanced economies, they have a green window of opportunity to leapfrog to cleaner, nimbler, and more flexible power systems.”

The Rockefeller Foundation aims to explore these divergent pathways in greater detail in future analysis.

ABOUT The Rockefeller Foundation
The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LI @the-rockefeller-foundation.

In addition to a conference center in Bellagio, Italy, The Rockefeller Foundation has U.S. offices in New York City and Washington, DC, with a regional headquarter in Bangkok, Thailand, for its work across Asia, and another regional headquarter in Nairobi, Kenya, for its work across the African continent.

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Nation’s Top 300 Teen Scientists Selected for Achievements in STEM Innovation and Leadership in Nation’s Oldest and Most Prestigious High School Competition

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January 8, 2025

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Regeneron Science Talent Search Sees Record Number of Applicants; $1.2 Million to be Awarded to Nation’s Most Promising Young Scientists and Their Schools 

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Society for Science (the Society) today announced the top 300 scholars in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2025, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. The 300 scholars will be awarded $2,000 each and their schools will be awarded $2,000 for each enrolled scholar.

The Regeneron Science Talent Search scholars were selected from nearly 2,500 entrants from 795 high schools across 48 states, American Samoa, Guam, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 14 other countries. US citizens living abroad are eligible to apply.

Scholars were chosen based on their outstanding research, leadership skills, community involvement, commitment to academics, creativity in asking scientific questions and exceptional promise as STEM leaders demonstrated through the submission of their original, independent research projects, essays and recommendations. The 300 scholars hail from 200 American and international high schools in 33 states, Washington D.C., China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Switzerland.

The full list of scholars can be viewed here: https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/2025-scholars/ 

“Congratulations to the 300 scholars in this year’s Regeneron Science Talent Search,” said Maya Ajmera, President and CEO, Society for Science and Executive Publisher, Science News.  “With a record-breaking number of applications, these exceptional young scientists and engineers represent the best in the nation. We are thrilled to celebrate their ingenuity, hard work, and passion for STEM.”

The Regeneron Science Talent Search recognizes and empowers our nation’s most promising young scientists who are generating innovative solutions to solve significant global challenges through rigorous research and discoveries. The competition provides students with a national stage to present new ideas and challenge conventional ways of thinking.

Now in its 103rd year, Society for Science has played a significant role in educating the public about scientific discoveries as well as in identifying future leaders in science, technology, engineering and math. Regeneron has sponsored the Science Talent Search since 2017 as part of its deep commitment to STEM education and to supporting young scientists.

This year, research projects cover topics from Medicine and Health to Computer Science and more. Other students chose to focus on Social Science. With a total of 20 research categories, the top 5 categories among scholars’ projects this year include:  Medicine and Health (12%); Environmental Science (8%); Cellular and Molecular Biology (8%); Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (8%) and Engineering (7%).

“Congratulations to the Regeneron Science Talent Search top 300 scholars, who demonstrate the extraordinary potential of nurtured STEM talent,” said Christina Chan, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Regeneron. “Our long-standing partnership with Society for Science is a cornerstone of our commitment to elevate these future scientific leaders, and we look forward to seeing how their discoveries will tackle global challenges and help improve our world.”

On January 23, 40 of the 300 scholars will be named Regeneron Science Talent Search finalists. The finalists will then compete for more than $1.8 million in awards during a week-long competition in Washington, D.C., taking place March 6-12, 2025.

For over eight decades, the Science Talent Search has rewarded talented high school seniors who dedicate countless hours to original research projects and present their results in rigorous reports that resemble graduate school theses. Collectively, STS alumni have received millions of dollars in scholarships and gone on to found world-changing companies, publish groundbreaking research, and win Nobel Prizes, Fields Medals, MacArthur Fellowships and numerous other accolades.

Important Dates for 2024:

Top 40 Finalists Announced: January 23, 2025Regeneron STS Finals Week: March 6-12, 2025Public Exhibition of Projects: March 9, 2025Winners Announced at Awards Ceremony: March 11, 2025

Resources:

Regeneron STS Top 300 Scholar ListNotable STS AlumniSTS 2024 Highlights Video

About the Regeneron Science Talent Search
The Regeneron Science Talent Search, a program of Society for Science since 1942, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious science and math competition for high school seniors. Each year, more than 2,000 student entrants submit original research in critically important scientific fields of study and are judged by leading experts in their fields. Unique among high school competitions in the U.S. and around the world, the Regeneron Science Talent Search focuses on identifying, inspiring and engaging the nation’s most promising young scientists who are creating the ideas that could solve society’s most urgent challenges.

In 2017, Regeneron became only the third sponsor of the Science Talent Search, making a 10-year, $100 million commitment to help reward, celebrate and encourage the best and brightest young scientific minds. Regeneron’s investment nearly doubled the overall award distribution to $3.1 million annually, increasing the top award to $250,000 and doubling the awards for the top 300 scholars to $2,000 and their schools to $2,000 for each enrolled scholar to inspire more young people to engage in science.

Learn more at https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/. 

About Society for Science
Society for Science is a champion for science, dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of science and the vital role it plays in human advancement. Established in 1921, Society for Science is best known for its award-winning journalism through Science News and Science News Explores, its world-class science research competitions for students, including the Regeneron Science Talent Search, the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair and the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge and its outreach and equity programming that seeks to ensure that all students have an opportunity to pursue a career in STEM. A 501(c)(3) membership organization, Society for Science is committed to inform, educate and inspire. Learn more at www.societyforscience.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram and LinkedIn.

Media Contact
Gayle Kansagor, Society for Science 
703-489-1131, gkansagor@societyforscience.org

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SOURCE Society for Science

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Net Health Acquires Alinea Engage to Further Optimize Patient Engagement and Outcomes in Rehab Therapy

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January 8, 2025

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Investment will advance Net Health’s mission to provide patient-centric care by streamlining administrative processes for rehab therapy

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Net Health, a trusted source for specialized software solutions that empower restorative care providers across the continuum of care, today announced that it has acquired Alinea Engage (Alinea). Alinea provides web-based, enterprise level automation and patient engagement software for private and senior rehabilitation therapy providers. As part of Net Health, Alinea will help clients deliver exceptional care through patient engagement and increase revenue by improving reimbursement efficiency through revenue cycle automation and the reduction of claims denials.

“I’m excited to welcome the Alinea team, and clients, to the Net Health family,” said Ron Books, CEO of Net Health. “Over the years we have built lasting relationships with Alinea, and it became apparent that we share a common mission and a set of core values. Foremost among those values is a mandate to put clients at the heart of everything we do, by providing high-value technology that enables them to deliver better outcomes. By acquiring Alinea, we are reinforcing that commitment and strengthening our organizational portfolio to ultimately offer best-in-class, specialized solutions for all.”

Net Health’s clients will now have access to Alinea’s current features, including patient onboarding automation; patient and family engagement; and workflow automation for prior authorization and direct bill processes. Additionally, Net Health is committed to ensuring the Alinea team has the resources it needs to continue to help their clients grow. That includes investing in future generations of products, an aligned roadmap to help clients address market needs, and a robust client experience and support infrastructure.

Alinea clients will continue to benefit from the solutions they know and the expertise of the team they trust. Led by CEO and founder Carol Vance, the Alinea team will operate with the same independence that has contributed to their success. “We are thrilled to become part of the Net Health family, and excited about the opportunity to continue our work with greater investment, powerful product alignment with Net Health, and the infrastructure needed to strengthen our client partnerships.”

To learn more about Net Health and how its technology offerings are helping to improve outcomes for restorative care providers, visit http://nethealth.com. To learn more about Alinea Engage, visit https://alineawellness.com/.

About Net Health  
Net Health is a trusted source for more than 25,000 healthcare organizations across the continuum of care. Our specialized software solutions enable restorative care providers and their organizations to improve both patient outcomes and financial performance. Over 30 years of expertise in wound care and rehab therapy inform our electronic health record (EHR) software, patient engagement tools, and predictive analytics. Our technology platforms help administrators manage workflow, specialists engage with patients, and executives drive business growth. Net Health is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, Level Equity, and Silversmith Capital Partners. Learn more at www.nethealth.com.

About Alinea Engage
Alinea is a web-based platform that streamlines and automates workflows to help rehabilitation providers drive productive, profitable, person-centric care. Alinea reduces the administrative burden on clinicians, increases the capacity of revenue cycle and compliance teams, and effectively engages patients, responsible parties, and families. Exclusively integrated with Net Health, Alinea is on a mission to optimize care and connection for senior adults in Senior Living Communities, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Private Homes by giving the rehabilitation providers that serve them the edge they need to deliver the best care possible. For more information, visit alineawellness.com.

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SOURCE Net Health Systems, Inc.

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Cengage Group Earns Equality 100 Award in Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2025 Corporate Equality Index

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January 8, 2025

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Cengage Group has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year as a leader in LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion

BOSTON, Jan. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cengage Group, a global edtech company, today announced its score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRCF) 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). The CEI is the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. This year’s CEI includes 1,449 businesses –the highest number of companies rated since the start of the CEI in 2002.

This marks the fifth consecutive year Cengage Group has been included in the CEI, and the third year it earned a score of 100. Notably, this score reflects the company’s swift efforts to meet new LBGTQ+ benefits guidelines introduced by HRCF in 2023. The company launched a comprehensive guide for employees in early 2024, which helped return its score to 100.

“Once again, we are incredibly proud to receive recognition from the HRC, as it reaffirms our unwavering commitment to inclusion and belonging,” said Jeri Herman, Chief People Officer of Cengage Group. “At Cengage Group, we foster a culture that values transparency, collaboration and the authentic expression of our diverse workforce. We know that a more diverse workforce is not just the right thing to do, it helps drive business success; this is why we remain committed to attracting and retaining talent with a range of backgrounds and experiences.”

Herman continued, “We are able to advance these efforts through various initiatives that prioritize listening, learning and allyship. Additionally, our employee resource groups (ERGs) play a vital role in developing programming that builds community and understanding across the organization.”

Along with 1,449 U.S. businesses, including Fortune magazine’s 500 largest publicly traded businesses, Cengage Group was rated against performance criteria falling under four central pillars:

Non-discrimination policies across business entities;Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families;Supporting an inclusive culture; and,Corporate social responsibility.

“The CEI is so much more than a score on paper. For decades businesses have relied on the CEI as a tool for transparency and leveling the playing field for all workers, making sure LGBTQ+ people and their families can share in fair, respectful and supportive workplaces and benefits,” said RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, SHRM-CP, HRCF Senior Director of Workplace Equality. “Our goal at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation is to work in a spirit of partnership with companies, providing educational resources and leading benchmarking. The work of the CEI is to help businesses to expand their consumer base and attract top, innovative talent by supporting the LGBTQ+ community.”

To learn more about CEI and Cengage Group’s recognition, view the full report at: http://www.hrc.org/cei.

About Cengage Group

With more than 100 years of serving learners, Cengage Group is a global edtech company that enables student choice. No matter how, where, when or why someone wants to learn, our portfolio of education businesses supports all students, from middle school through graduate school and skills education, with quality content and technology. Collectively, our three business units – Cengage Academic, Cengage Work, and Cengage Select – help millions of students each year in more than 125 countries achieve their education and career goals and lead choice-filled lives. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

Media Contact:
Emily Featherston, Vice President, Corporate Communications, External
Emily.featherston@cengage.com

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SOURCE Cengage Group

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