THE ROLE OF MULTILINGUALISM IN RENEWABLE ENERGY
The climate is changing. Natural resources are running out. The transition to sustainable renewable energy is no longer an option, it is a necessity. In 2023, more than 30% of the world’s energy (according to The Guardian) and 44.7% of Europe’s energy (according to Eurostat) came from renewable energy sources. But what does multilingualism have to do with renewable energy?
Globalisation has brought countries and businesses closer together in the fight against the negative effects of climate change. Countries and companies are working closely together to develop advanced renewable energy technologies. These technologies stimulate innovation, create new jobs, and fundamentally change the way energy is produced and consumed. Today, the renewable energy sector is one of the fastest growing industries, employing teams of scientists from all over the world.
Learning from the experience of others is the key to success in the energy sector, as international experience can be gained by seeking out similar types of projects, consulting with others carrying out similar projects, and reaching out to experts in the field. It is very important to know the success factors as well as the problems and mistakes made, so that you can plan and implement your planned activities successfully. And learning about international experience is made possible by using translation services.
RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Renewable energy technologies help to reduce carbon emissions and combat negative climate change. Unlike fossil fuels, they are virtually inexhaustible. Countries that invest in renewable energy technologies not only reduce their dependence on fossil fuel imports, but also strengthen their energy independence and security.
Worldwide, renewable energy is mainly derived from solar, wind and hydro power, but in Latvia the main renewable energy sources (RES) are fuel wood (firewood, wood residues, wood chips, wood briquettes, wood pellets) and hydro-resources.
In 2015, 195 countries approved the first legally binding global climate agreement – the Paris Agreement. Under the Paris Agreement, member states are required to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The European Union has reinforced this goal with an ambitious plan, the Green Deal, which commits the European Union to becoming the first climate neutral part of the world by 2050, or to balancing the EU’s GHG emissions with its captured emissions.
Photovoltaic panels convert sunlight directly into electricity. Solar systems heat water or living spaces using solar radiation. Huge solar farms in sunny areas like California produce thousands of megawatts of electricity.
Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of the wind into electricity. The Hornsea One wind farm in the UK generates electricity for over a million homes. It is the largest offshore wind farm in the world.
Hydroelectric power stations use the energy of falling or flowing water to generate electricity. The Three Gorges Dam in China is the world’s largest hydroelectric power plant by capacity. It is 185 metres high, can hold 175 metres of water and stretches for more than 2.3 kilometres. In 2023, it generated 80 271 TWh of energy.
In 2023, Latvia generated 4963 GWh of electricity from renewable energy sources (RES), according to the Central Statistical Bureau. Compared to 2022, the amount produced from RES increased by 30.0% (by 1146 GWh). For example, WPP (wind power plants) and SPP (solar power plants) produced 92.5% more electricity in 2023 than in 2022. Most of the RES electricity was generated by the Daugava HPP, Latvia’s largest hydroelectric power plant (HPP), which produced 3725 GWh of electricity, around 75% of the total RES electricity generated in Latvia.
GLOBAL MARKET FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
Multilingualism fosters close international cooperation. The global market for renewable energy technologies is growing at a remarkable pace. In 2023, investments in the renewable energy sector exceeded USD 619 billion, an increase of 8% compared to the previous year. World leader China installed more than 150 GW of new solar capacity, doubling its power generation capacity compared to 2022. Europe increased its wind power generation capacity by installing 17 GW of new turbines.
Translation of technical documentation, regulations, scientific publications, studies and finally user manuals is essential to ensure that projects at local and international level are implemented smoothly and without unnecessary delays. Professional and correct translations in a narrow field ensure that complex technical information is correctly interpreted and adapted to the laws and market needs of each country. As is well known, technical and scientific translation is also often linked to the creation of new terminology and its successful implementation among professionals and society at large.
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION
International political and scientific cooperation helps to find innovations for green energy. Neighbouring countries in different regions of Europe are coming together on challenging projects. One example is the North Sea Wind Power Hub, which brings together the expertise and strength of Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark. It involves the construction of a huge wind farm in the North Sea. Ultimately, this power plant will supply the economic centres of Western Europe with renewable electricity.
The DESERTEC project aims to create a network of solar and wind power plants in the Sahara region that will supply Europe and North Africa. The initiative aims to promote renewable energy generation and support technologies and socio-economic development in the desert regions.
The European Energy Network covers renewable energy sources from different European countries. It optimises the use of energy resources and ensures the stability of energy supply. The project contributes to the development of energy storage technologies.
ACCURACY OF TERMINOLOGY IN RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
The development of renewable energy technologies relies to a large extent on close scientific and research cooperation between the Member States of the European Union and project partners, and this work is unthinkable without terminology challenges. The projects involve partners from different countries. If there is no consensus on the use of terms, it is easy to make serious mistakes. This can slow down or even stop the progress of projects.
Problems often arise already at the planning stage. Differences in the interpretation of technical specifications can lead to serious misunderstandings during procurement or negotiation procedures. Incorrectly interpreted technical documents can lead to incorrect installation of equipment, incorrect procurement of materials, incorrect legislation, which in turn increases costs and necessitates additional work.
TECHNICAL TRANSLATION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
For technical translation in the field of renewable energy technologies, a thorough understanding of the correct use of specialised terminology is of paramount importance. Each technology – whether solar panels, wind turbines or energy management systems – has its own specific vocabulary and technical and quality standards that the translator needs to be familiar with before starting work.
Technical documentation in this field includes user manuals, equipment specifications, academic literature and research and testing reports. Incorrect or mistranslated documents are prone to serious errors. Incorrect installation or operation of equipment can cause failures.
Translators specialising in renewable energy technologies have studied technical translation and terminology in depth. Their task is to translate the text accurately while ensuring consistency and compliance with industry ISO, IEC and LVS standards. The translator works closely with experts in the field to agree on the most appropriate interpretation of a term.
When products and services enter a new market, they need to be localised and adapted to the local culture and communication. So these products and services need to be translated and localised to the local language, culture and legal norms.
For example, a company producing solar panels wants to enter the Japanese market. High-quality panels alone will not be enough if user manuals, technical documentation and marketing materials are not professionally translated into Japanese. Ignoring this step may lead to difficulties for customers in installing and using the solar panels. However, accurate and correct localisation of technical documents and information resources builds trust in the brand and product, and also increases customer satisfaction and creates a positive impression.
LANGUAGE SERVICES FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The following examples highlight the importance of multilingualism as well as the benefits for the renewable energy sector.
INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY (IRENA)
IRENA promotes renewable energy worldwide. The Agency publishes its publications, communication materials and conference content in several languages, thus reaching a wider audience and extending the impact of its work.
CASE STUDIES ON COAL TRANSITION
The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) and the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) carried out case studies on communities switching from coal to renewable energy. These studies underline the importance of integrating different perspectives and approaches. The case studies are being carried out in most parts of the world, so translating the case studies, learning information from other regions in a language they understand, and multilingual communication in itself helps to understand and take into account the local socio-political context and to gain public support for renewable energies and new solar and/or wind farms.
INITIATIVES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
The European Union’s Multilingual Digital Platform of the Conference on the Future of Europe allows citizens from all Member States to participate in discussions on the energy sector and sustainable development in their own language. The platform promotes the exchange of ideas, enables multilingual groups to contribute to shaping the future of renewable energy in Europe and to find innovative solutions.
INTEGRATING GREEN AND TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS FOR ENTREPRENEURS
Multilingualism enables effective knowledge transfer and collaboration between scientists, engineers and industry experts – enabling everything needed for a more sustainable future:
- sharing best practices and technical knowledge and know-how across language barriers;
- building international research partnerships and joint projects;
- and engaging a wider audience at global renewable energy conferences and forums.
Communication in several languages facilitates the localisation of renewable energy technologies and training materials for different markets. This includes:
- translating technical manuals, safety guidelines and work procedures;
- training and educating workers and technicians in local languages;
- adapting marketing and outreach materials to local language and cultural contexts.
Multilingualism helps to navigate international and local policies related to renewable energy. It facilitates:
- understanding and implementation of the positive impacts of global agreements on combating adverse climate change and renewable energies;
- communication of national policies and regulations to international stakeholders;
- compliance with local regulatory requirements in different regions.
Gaining public support by communicating the benefits and impacts of renewable energy technologies. This includes:
- public consultation and stakeholder engagement in local languages;
- translation of environmental impact assessments and information materials;
- provision of information resources to address concerns and misconceptions about renewable energy.
Renewable energy companies are looking to expand into new markets and attract international investment, but to successfully achieve these goals, companies need to focus on:
- translating business plans, financial reports and investment attraction plans;
- breaking down language barriers through simultaneous or consecutive translation when negotiating contracts, potential partnerships;
- translating product and service marketing materials for different language audiences.
TRANSLATION SERVICES FOR THE ENERGY SECTOR
Is your company in the renewable energy technology sector? Are you planning to enter new international markets? The translation agency Skrivanek specialises in technical translations tailored to the renewable energy sector.
We translate technical documentation, user manuals and research reports with attention to detail. Our translators are specialists with experience in the renewable energy sector, they are familiar with the specifics and terminology of the sector and work with experts in the field to find the most accurate terms.
We tailor and localise content for local markets, taking into account cultural and linguistic contexts, to ensure your technology is perceived to your expectations anywhere in the world. Contact us for a free quote or book an online consultation and we’ll help you find the right solution for your needs and capabilities.
Skrivanek Baltic darbinieki ir atsaucīgi un pretimnākoši, un tulkojumu pieprasījumi tiek apstrādāti ātri un kvalitatīvi, veiksmīgi aptverot specifisko Valsts ieņēmumu dienesta terminoloģiju, gan tulkojot juridiskus tekstus, gan nodokļu un muitas terminoloģiju.
Skrivanek Baltic sevi ir pierādījis kā profesionāls, uzticams un kvalitatīvs sadarbības partneris, jo tulkojumi tiek veikti profesionālā kvalitātē, lietojot nozares specifisko terminoloģiju.
Sadarbības laikā SIA Skrivanek Baltic sevi ir pierādījis kā atbildīgs sadarbības partneris, kas ievēro klienta vēlmes, tulkojumus veic augstā profesionālā kvalitātē, ievērojot nozares terminoloģiju, konfidencialitāti un noteiktos darbu izpildes termiņus.
Mēs ar Skrivanek Baltic sadarbojamies jau vairākus gadus. Lielākoties izmantojam rakstiskos tulkojumus latviešu, krievu un angļu valodās, bet ir nācies izmantot arī retākas valodas – arābu, igauņu u. c. Tāpat regulāri izmantojam latviešu tekstu literāro redaktoru, korektoru un “copywrite” pakalpojumus. Sadarbība ir lieliska, projektu vadītāji (kontaktpersonas) ātri, atsaucīgi, konstruktīvi. Cenu politika saprotama, atklāta un pieņemama.
Skrivanek Baltic sevi ir pierādījis kā profesionāls, uzticams un kvalitatīvs sadarbības partneris. Savstarpējās sadarbības laikā nav bijušas nekādas pretenzijas par Skrivanek Baltic darbību, visi darba jautājumi tiek risināti operatīvi un ar savstarpēju sapratni.
Sadarbību ar SIA Skrivanek Baltic vērtējam kā ļoti sekmīgu, jo uzņēmumam ir atbilstoša pieredze un kvalificēti darbinieki, kas spēj nodrošināt pasūtījuma izpildi atbilstoši Pasūtītāja prasībām. Tulki veica darbu kvalitatīvi un ar lielu atbildības sajūtu. Īpaši novērtējām tulku atsaucību un daudzveidīgo profesionālo pieredzi, sadalot tulku pārus pa nozaru sekcijām. Sekciju darba sinhronā tulkošana prasīja ne tikai pastiprinātu uzmanību, bet arī specifiskas un aktuālas terminoloģijas zināšanas.
Abpusējo sadarbību vērtējam kā pozitīvu, uzticamu, ļoti pretimnākošu un organizatoriskā ziņā teicami īstenotu. Līdzšinējā sadarbība bijusi patīkama un veiksmīga, jo īpaši vēlētos uzteikt atsaucīgos un laipnos kompānijas darbiniekus.