Project - Humanising Energy: Stories of global energy transition

Overview

The World Energy Council approached BBC StoryWorks to create a digital experience that would make the complex challenge of energy transition accessible and human. The brief was clear: showcase real solutions from around the world while addressing the World Energy Trilemma—balancing energy security, equity, and environmental sustainability.

The challenge was presenting technical energy topics in a way that would engage diverse audiences, from policymakers to the general public, while maintaining journalistic integrity and showcasing genuine innovation happening across six continents.

Our Approach

We structured the platform around three thematic pillars that address different aspects of the energy transition: Technology (tools for change), People (humanity-first transitions), and Industry (decarbonising major sectors). Each pillar features multiple stories from different countries, creating a truly global narrative.

The technical challenge was creating an experience that felt immersive and magazine-like, with smooth scroll-driven animations, while maintaining fast load times and accessibility across devices. We used Next.js for optimal performance and implemented custom scroll animations that triggered as users progressed through each story.

What we did

• Next.js
• TypeScript
• Scroll Animations
• Interactive Quizzes
• Responsive Design
• Video Integration

Technology Pillar

Exploring the tools and innovations driving energy sector transformation:

Future Fuels in Sweden

Following researchers working on alternative fuel sources that could transform the mobility sector, from biofuels to synthetic alternatives.

Green Hydrogen Aviation in France

Profiling pioneers developing hydrogen-powered aircraft technology, showcasing the potential for aviation to achieve net-zero emissions.

Energy Transition Modelling in the United States

How advanced computer modelling helps navigate complex energy transitions by predicting outcomes and optimizing pathways to sustainability.

People Pillar

Putting humanity first in global energy transitions:

Empowering Off-Grid Communities in Malawi

Stories of how reliable energy access transforms lives in rural communities, enabling education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Geothermal Energy in New Zealand

Harnessing the abundant geothermal resources beneath our feet to power homes with clean, renewable energy.

Electric Mobility in Rwanda

How electric motorcycles are reducing CO2 emissions while creating sustainable transportation solutions for African cities.

Educating Future Energy Leaders in India

Programs energizing young talent and educating the next generation of energy pioneers who will shape tomorrow's solutions.

Industry Pillar

Decarbonising some of the world's most carbon-intensive sectors:

Grid Stabilization in the United Kingdom

The art of keeping people connected to renewable power through sophisticated grid management and battery storage solutions.

Australia's Mega Battery Park

Exploring the world's biggest battery park and how it makes renewable energy sources more flexible and reliable.

Energy Modelling Software in the UK

How algorithms and software help navigate global energy demand, optimizing distribution and predicting future needs.

Community-Led Transition in Italy

A brighter future powered by communities helping drive local energy transitions through solar adoption and collective action.

Interactive Elements

To maintain engagement and test understanding, we integrated interactive quiz elements throughout the platform:

• Renewable Energy Quiz: Testing knowledge on minerals used in renewable technologies (lithium, copper, sulfur)
• Transport Emissions Quiz: Challenging users to identify the largest source of transport emissions worldwide (aviation, road, shipping)
• Jobs in Renewables: Exploring which renewable sector has the biggest employment share (biofuels, hydropower, solar)

These quizzes were designed not just as engagement tools, but as educational moments that reinforced key learnings from the stories.

Technical Implementation

The platform required careful attention to performance and user experience:

• Progressive image loading to handle 100+ high-resolution images efficiently
• Scroll-triggered animations that created a sense of discovery as users explored each story
• Mobile-first responsive design ensuring the experience worked seamlessly on all devices
• Video integration with lazy loading to minimize initial page load
• Accessible navigation allowing users to jump between pillars and stories easily

Impact & Reach

Humanising Energy successfully demonstrates how complex global challenges can be made accessible through human-centered storytelling. By featuring real people solving real problems—from Malawian healthcare workers to Swedish fuel researchers—the platform shows that the energy transition isn't just about technology, it's about people.

The project showcases the power of combining BBC's editorial expertise with modern web technologies to create digital experiences that inform, engage, and inspire action on critical global issues.