Renewable Energy Industry Update 2024 and a Look Ahead

The renewable energy sector has set the stage for a transformative decade in 2024. With strong investment, technological innovation, and policy support, renewable energy is poised for rapid growth in 2025 and beyond. Energy storage, hydrogen, offshore wind, and digitalization will be the key trends shaping the industry’s future.

Renewable energy will remain at the forefront of climate action as the world moves toward a low-carbon economy, offering a pathway to sustainable and resilient energy systems. This blog provides an overview of the key trends currently shaping the renewable energy landscape and explores what to expect in 2025 and beyond.

2024: Record Investment and Capacity Expansion

2024 saw record investment and capacity expansion. Unprecedented global investments were made in renewable energy, driven by both private sector commitments and public policies. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that global renewable power capacity grew by 12% in 2024, with solar and wind energy leading the charge. Solar power continues to be the fastest-growing energy source, thanks to lower costs and advancements in photovoltaic technology. Wind energy also saw significant gains, particularly in offshore wind projects, which are becoming increasingly viable with larger turbines and floating platforms.

The wireless access and locks market is growing and appears set to continue, thanks to technological advancements, innovation, and a growing emphasis on security and convenience.

Smart Lock Adoption and Integration

The adoption of smart locks is expanding, particularly in residential applications. This is due to the increasing popularity of smart home technologies. The ability to control locks via smartphones, integrate with smart home systems, and enhanced security features have attracted residential consumers, whether they own or rent their homes.

More and more smart locks are becoming compatible with wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Z-Wave. These integrations allow seamless connectivity with other smart devices and enable remote locking/unlocking features, real-time alerts, and voice control.

Residential applications are not the only market segment showing growth. Specific commerce sectors, such as hospitality and real estate, where security and convenience are paramount, are also experiencing significant growth.

Take control of your cleaning. Clean Faster. Clean Better. Clean Safer. 

Austin Hardware & Supply, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of our 4TH GEN Industrial Cleaners. We remain committed to securing solutions for your business, and the 4TH GEN line-up features four professional-grade, uniquely formulated cleaners to meet the requirements of business, commercial, and industrial applications. 

Made in the USA, the product line includes a Multi-Surface All-Purpose Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, Industrial Strength Cleaner & Degreaser, and Adhesive Remover in a variety of sizes in Ready-to-Use and Concentrate options with a dilution control dispenser.

4TH GEN cleaners are made with natural or plant-based ingredients to be eco-friendly and safe as well as highly effective. To learn more about the 4TH GEN Industrial Cleaners, visit https://info.austinhardware.com/cleaners.   

The internet is replete with examples of how to leverage Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter to improve the sales of your business. However, a popular social media platform which is too often ignored is Instagram.

Granted, working with a format which primarily promotes products and brands using pictures can seem challenging at first, particularly depending on your industry, but when done correctly, a well-curated Instagram page can be a phenomenal brand awareness and sales generation platform.

A CRM is not just “another software installation.” It is a powerful engine that should be the front-facing tool for Management, Inside/Outside Sales staff, Engineering, Marketing, and Customer Service. Focusing on the “front-end” processes and user adoption can and will help with the CRM’s return on investment. It should NOT be used as a micromanagement tool or feel like a “big brother.” When implemented correctly, the system will run smoothly and give a company a competitive edge.

The benefits of marketing automation in the B2B space are impossible to deny nowadays. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you’re sure to have at least heard of it. If you’re serious about taking your business to the next level, marketing automation adoption may just be the best strategic move you could make this year. More than half* of B2B Fortune 500 companies have started using marketing automation. The biggest businesses in the world clearly see the immense gains that can be made by automating their marketing efforts. To understand more, let’s consider the advantages of marketing automation.

E-commerce can bring tremendous benefits to companies today. It levels the playing field between larger and smaller businesses because the cost of maintaining and marketing an e-commerce website has a lower barrier to entry. Additionally, by having an e-commerce website that remains visible twenty-four hours a day, we’re better able to serve our customer base.