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Shares of solar PV and wind electricity in global 100% RE scenarios in electricity generation and in total primary energy demand in the year 2050. References are provided in Table 1.
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![FIGURE 4. Solar PV and wind electricity generation [TWh/yr] in global...](profile/Benjamin-Sovacool/publication/362270272/figure/fig4/AS:1183907953287170@1659277060679/Solar-PV-and-wind-electricity-generation-TWh-yr-in-global-100-RE-scenarios-in-the-year_Q320.jpg)
Research on 100% renewable energy systems is a relatively recent phenomenon. It was initiated in the mid-1970s, catalyzed by skyrocketing oil prices. Since the mid-2000s, it has quickly evolved into a prominent research field encompassing an expansive and growing number of research groups and organizations across the world. The main conclusion of m...
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... role of solar PV and wind power may be the strongest differentiator among the global 100% RE system analyses, which can be used as a starting point for investigating conceptual differences in such studies. The following discussion focuses on solar PV and wind power as the dominating sources of electricity and energy in total in the investigated studies (Table 1, Figure 5), as 75% of all studies find more than 80% of all electricity from these core pillars. This is not intended to downplay the high value of the other RE sources, and aspects for bioenergy and partly concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) are also discussed in the following. ...
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... most cited study in the 100% RE research field is the global study by Jacobson and Delucchi [62]. The results for absolute solar PV and wind electricity generation are presented in Figure 4 and the relative solar PV and wind power share in electricity generation and TPED are shown in Figure 5. Most studies describe an energy transition from the present until 2050 and for overall energy demand. ...
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... mentioned development in solar PV electricity contribution is also reflected in the wind electricity contribution, as three studies between 2011 and 2018 obtained values of more than 40,000 TWh/yr [62], [66], [191], while, beyond 2018, all studies remained below 40,000 TWh/yr. The cost-optimized studies with recent solar PV cost find consensus values of 14-26% wind shares in electricity supply ( Figure 5). ...
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The world relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation, thereby leading to global warming and regional climate change. Renewable energy (RE) is one of the realisable solutions to tackle the drastically increasing energy demand. As the global push for RE culminates within the coming years, energy policies will be the key driver in promoting...
Citations
... This vision is echoed by Qi et al. [40], who delved into the economic viability of hydrogen and renewable energies, predicting a significant decrease in installation costs by 2050 due to technological advancements and economies of scale. Furthermore, Breyer et al. [41] highlighted the complementarity of solar and wind power with hydrogen systems, emphasizing the crucial role of cost reductions in driving this energy transition. According to IRENA, advancements in technology and increased production scale are anticipated to drive down the costs of renewable energy installations, making them more economically viable [42]. ...
Many small Canadian communities lack access to electricity grids, relying instead on costly and polluting diesel generators, despite the local availability of renewable energies like solar and wind. The intermittent nature of these sources limits reliable power supply; thus, hydrogen is proposed as a cost-effective and eco-friendly long-term energy storage solution. However, it remains uncertain whether hydrogen storage can significantly contribute to a 100% renewable energy system (100RES), given the diverse characteristics of these communities. Additionally, the potential for fully renewable infrastructure to reduce costs, mitigate adverse environmental impacts, and enhance social impact is still unclear. A multi-period optimization model that balances economic, environmental, and social objectives to determine the optimal configuration of 100RESs for isolated communities is introduced and utilized to evaluate hydrogen as an energy storage solution to seasonal fluctuations. By identifying the best combinations of technologies tailored to local conditions and priorities, this study offers valuable insights for policymakers, supporting the transition to sustainable energy and achieving national climate goals. The results demonstrate that hydrogen could serve as an excellent long-term energy storage option to address energy shortages during the winter. Based on the communities’ characteristics, different mixes and sizes of energy generation and storage technologies are selected for them. For example, a community in the northern territories with high wind speeds, low solar radiation, very low temperatures, and little biomass should optimally rely on wind turbines to serve 80.7% of its total energy demand, achieving 62.0% cost saving and 49.5% environmental impact reduction compared to the existing diesel-based system. By 2050, all communities are projected to reduce energy costs per capita, with northern territories achieving 33% and coastal areas achieving 55% cost reductions, eventually leading to the utilization of hydrogen as the main energy storage medium.
... For example, Smith et al. (2019) demonstrate the application of mechanics to optimize the efficiency of wind turbines, while Kim et al. (2020) delves into the physics behind photovoltaic cells, advancing our understanding of solar energy conversion. These advances underscore the critical role of physics in driving the transition to sustainable energy systems (Breyer et al. 2022;Wang et al. 2023). ...
Achieving sustainable development (SD) requires a holistic approach that bridges multiple disciplines. Although the current literature recognizes the critical role of interdisciplinary collaboration in comprehensively addressing global challenges across fields such as economics, business, environmental science, and social justice, there is still a significant gap in understanding how specific contributions from each discipline can be effectively combined to strengthen the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this paper, we examine the interconnected nature of the SDGs and the critical role of interdis-ciplinary collaboration in achieving them. Addressing complex challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation requires contributions from diverse fields, including biology, ecology, toxicology, chemistry, physics, mechanics, environmental engineering, architecture, and urban planning. The purpose of this paper is twofold (i) to explore the interconnected nature of the SDGs and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve them, and (ii) to highlight how contributions from different disciplines can enhance our ability to address the complex challenges associated with SD. We emphasize the integration of sustainable principles and innovative approaches as essential to fostering collaboration. Our findings suggest that inclusive, interdisciplinary strategies are critical for SD and underscore the urgent need for collective action across sectors to achieve the SDGs, strengthen global resilience, and drive innovation in SD. Adopting interdisciplinary efforts creates pathways for innovative, inclusive, and sustainable impacts that support a healthier planet and a resilient future for all.
... In the same city of Cuenca, a recent study was carried out by Daniel Icaza et al. [72] with international advice, who designed a novel roadmap for the transformation of the electric mobility system with the inclusion of 100% renewable energy by 2050. The results of the long-term scenario require investment in new technologies [73][74][75][76]. The future energy mix must comprise wind at 37.3%, followed by solar photovoltaic with 33.9%, hydroelectric with 25.4%, and with other technologies such as biomass hardly exceeding 3.4%. ...
This article presents a review of renewable energy systems in Latin America, highlighting recent advances aimed at transforming electricity markets to make them more environmentally sustainable. The transition of energy systems in these countries is closely linked to policies and legislation that promote the adoption of renewable energy, guided by roadmaps that facilitate planning and decision-making processes. Transportation stands out as a crucial sector in these transition efforts, and support for renewable energy is already driving significant changes in several continents, albeit with different levels of impact. The analysis involved a review of 180 articles published in ScienceDirect since 2000, focused on renewable energy systems in Latin America. Among them, only 40 scientific articles were identified that specifically address electric mobility systems for mass transportation, such as trams and railways, that is environmentally friendly. Currently, their contribution in Latin America is only 1.7%, and it is expected that they will play a fundamental role in the energy transition in 2050, contributing 9.3% within the electrified transportation sector. The results of the research revealed that Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Colombia, and Costa Rica are the countries that have carried out the most high-impact research in relation to mobility systems with 100% renewable energy systems. In Latin America, there is a limited number of authors focused on massive electric propulsion systems. The purpose of this research is to provide an overview of the energy situation related to electric propulsion systems for transport in South American countries.
... The renewables-based climate mitigation strategy is now confirmed in the literature [7,8], owing to the declining cost of renewables [9][10][11][12], technological innovation [13], RE targets, rising concern about climate change [8], energy security, and fossil fuel prices [14]. Recognising energy development as a vital enabler of socio-economic development, the Government of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) has set regional and national targets to make the Caribbean energy sectors more sustainable [2]. ...
... The momentum of the role of solar PV for the energy transition observed in this study appears without any policies supporting renewables. The significant uptake of solar PV can be attributed to its higher learning rates, triggered by modularity and mass-scale replicability, which is comparable to trends observed in the electronics industry [11,13,[108][109][110]. Historically, most energy-economic models have consistently underestimated the uptake rates of solar PV [10,13,111]. Recently, the IEA's stated policies scenario has been revised strongly in favour of solar energy [112], though it was shown that the IEA scenarios in the World Energy Outlook show a poor performance in cost and CO 2 emissions [113] and had been consistently wrong in solar PV projections [114,115]. ...
Transitioning to renewables is critical to address the Caribbean's vulnerability to imported fossil fuel price volatility and concerns about climate change. This study presents a first‐of‐its‐kind comprehensive analysis of 17 illustrative pathways varying the impact of e‐fuel imports, grid interconnections and an accelerated energy transition towards the Caribbean's carbon neutrality by 2050. The research method is based on techno‐economic principles for designing a cost‐optimal energy system. An optimisation tool is used, the LUT Energy System Transition Model, to analyse the various pathways. The study finds that high uptake of renewables in Caribbean energy systems significantly lowers costs and enhances reliability, crucial for building competitive and resilient economies. Renewable energy dominated pathways show 7–24% lower cumulative costs compared to alternatives, with grid integration reducing costs by 1–10%. Accelerated transition pathways incur 3–12% higher costs than complete defossilisation by 2050. Solar photovoltaics, wind power, batteries, and electrolysers are pivotal for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Importing e‐fuels reduces system costs by 7–16% and supports local resource use. Offshore renewable energy overcome land limitations, driving sustainable development and a vibrant blue economy. High electrification levels with renewable energy, sector coupling, and Power‐to‐X solutions enhance system efficiency and flexibility. Given the dominance of solar photovoltaics, the Caribbean's energy transition could be more appropriately called a ‘Solar‐to‐X Economy’. This research contributes to the international perspective on sustainable energy transition for islands.
... The way of getting electrical power stability when introducing distributed generation (DG) with RES is one of the essential themes that require further research work since systems using RES need special devices for energy storage, in correspondence to the characteristics of the place they will be located [8]- [10]. When storing the exceeding energy, the energy storage systems (ESS) can supply energy to the electrical network whenever necessary, giving, therefore, the possibility of satisfying the energy demand at every moment, even in case of sudden break-down in any electrical station or network, without causing a black-out [11]- [15]. ...
At present, energy storage systems are being generalized due to the necessity of providing stable and good-quality electrical service in all homes. Solutions are given to Ecuador's electrical power system using distributed generation facilities with different renewable energy sources. However, some of those facilities in the Province of Manabí are located relatively far from the power consumption areas, causing an energy deficit in some electrical feeders when demand increases. The objective of the present study is to analyze the functioning of an electrical feeder when energy storage systems and photovoltaic systems are connected as a hybrid system. Two different software, CYME, and ArcGIS, were used to analyze the electrical power system in the province object of study and to design the simulation that showed better functioning of the electrical feeder when energy storage systems are connected than with connection to photovoltaic systems.
... Reaching net zero GHG emissions and becoming climate neutral is increasingly being discussed by nations (UNFCCC, 2015). Pursuing this path would require massive electrification of end-use via direct and indirect electrification approaches (Lund et al., 2017;Oyewo et al., 2023;Ueckerdt et al., 2021;Breyer et al., 2022;IRENA, 2022a). While direct use of renewable electricity is the most cost-effective, efficient solution and sustainable form of energy utilisation, deep defossilisation of energy-intensive sectors hinges on the indirect electrification approach, i.e., power-to-X solutions (IRENA, 2022a;Ram et al., 2020;Lopez et al., 2023a;Galimova et al., 2023a;Lester et al., 2020;Ridjan et al., 2016). ...
Africa has enormous potential to produce low-cost e-fuels, e-chemicals and e-materials required for complete defossilisation using its abundant renewable resources, widely distributed across the continent. This research builds on techno-economic investigations using the LUT Energy System Transition Model and related tools to assess the power-to-X potential in Africa, for meeting the local demand and exploring the export potential of power-to-products applications. In this context, we analysed the economic viability of exporting green e-fuel, e-chemicals and e-materials from Africa to Europe. We also present the core elements of the Power-to-X Economy, i.e., renewable electricity and hydrogen. The results show that hydrogen will likely not be traded simply due to high transport costs. However, there is an opportunity for African countries to export e-ammonia, e-methanol, e-kerosene jet fuel, e-methane, e-steel products, and e-plastic to Europe at low cost. The results show that Africa's low-cost power-to-X products backed by low-cost renewable electricity, mainly supplied by solar photovoltaics, is the basis for Africa's vibrant export business opportunities. Therefore, the Power-to-X Economy could more appropriately be called a Solar-to-X Economy for Africa. The Power-to-X Economy will foster socioeconomic growth in the region, including new industrial opportunities, new investment portfolios, boost income and stimulate local technical know-how, thereby delivering a people-driven energy economy. Research on the topic in Africa is limited and at a nascent stage. Thus, more studies are required in future to guide investment decisions and cater to policy decisions in achieving carbon neutrality with e-fuels, e-chemicals, and e-materials.
... Te renewable energy power generation units such as wind and photovoltaic, energy storage units, and load units together constitute the ofshore platform microgrid system. Renewable energy power generation units, energy storage units, and load units are all connected to the system through power electronic converters, and the system has the characteristics of high degree of power electronization and low inertia [6]. Considering the access and load characteristics of renewable energy power generation units, the DC bus is selected as the common bus of the system. ...
... Te mechanical power of the wind turbine P m is a function of the wind speed v wind and the rotational speed ω w in equation (6). Te partial derivative of P m gives the expression for the change in mechanical power as ...
The renewable energy mobile offshore platform, which adopts the combined power supply of renewable energy and energy storage, is an important carrier for the development and utilization of marine resources. The randomness of renewable energy generation has a more prominent effect on the bus voltage stability and transient voltage deviation of the power system with small capacity and low inertia. Considering the operation and maintenance characteristics of the offshore platform, a virtual inertia control method for small- and medium-sized wind turbines is proposed. Firstly, by analyzing the characteristics of the renewable energy microgrid of the unattended offshore platform, considering the operating environment with high average wind speed at sea, the mechanical inertia in the wind turbine is selected as the energy source of virtual inertia. The structure of the wind power generation unit is analyzed, and small signal modeling is carried out. A virtual inertia control method based on power droop is proposed, and the rotational inertia and the damping coefficient are obtained from the characteristics of transient and steady-state analysis of the system. Finally, the DC microgrid experiment platform of the offshore platform is constructed, and it is verified that the proposed method makes full use of the characteristics of the offshore platform to enhance system inertia and improve the operational stability of the offshore platform DC microgrid system.
... For example, new energy converters commonly use control loops such as phase-locked loops (PLL), current inner loops, and power outer loops, which require the dynamic analysis of grid voltage affected by multi-scale cascade control of converters to be extended to more time scales (Zhou et al., 2014;Hu et al., 2023). In summary, as the scale of power electronic equipment integration continues to increase, the dynamic characteristics of electromagnetic time scale grid voltage will become one of the focuses of power quality issues (Milano, 2016;Hansen et al., 2019;Breyer et al., 2022). ...
Since the large-scale integration of renewable energy sources into the AC grid has led to a relative decline in the voltage support capacity of the grid and the deterioration of the voltage dynamic at the grid connection point, especially under fast-scale conditions, the voltage disturbance has become more obvious. To improve the dynamic characteristics of the electromagnetic transient voltage at the grid connection point, this paper uses a practical dynamic damping method to analyze the impact of the converter current inner loop, feedforward voltage, and other links on the dynamic performance of the electromagnetic transient voltage. First, the current inner loop dynamic in the converter’s synchronous coordinate is converted into an equivalent transfer function in the stationary coordinate, and the transfer function between the transient voltage disturbance at the grid connection point and the inner loop current output is established. On this basis, the Bode diagram and the vector diagram of the transfer function in the weak damping frequency band are used to analyze the dynamic damping of the current inner loop parameters and voltage feedforward filter parameters on the voltage disturbance at the grid connection point. The results indicate that moderately increasing the current inner loop bandwidth or reducing the feedforward filter bandwidth can help enhance the electromagnetic transient voltage stability of the grid connection point, but increasing the current inner loop bandwidth will worsen the low-frequency damping characteristics and reduce the feedforward filter bandwidth will still help increase low-frequency damping.
... A second component of a 1.5 °C compatible pathway will apply renewable energy wherever possible and the research in this paper will align with the field of 100% renewable energy systems [21]. In the field of 100% renewables, accepted energy supply sources are solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy, geothermal energy and ocean energy and this excludes nuclear energy or fossil-fuel based energy with carbon capture and storage [21]. ...
... A second component of a 1.5 °C compatible pathway will apply renewable energy wherever possible and the research in this paper will align with the field of 100% renewable energy systems [21]. In the field of 100% renewables, accepted energy supply sources are solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy, geothermal energy and ocean energy and this excludes nuclear energy or fossil-fuel based energy with carbon capture and storage [21]. Here, a high share of heat demand of industry can be electrified, and high temperature renewable heat will have to be come from biomass, hydrogen and advanced electrification methods [22][23][24]. ...
With renewables growing at an unprecedented pace and critical carbon budget deadlines approaching, research is shifting to the new frontier of Paris aligned 1.5 °C mitigation pathways for hard-to-abate sectors, including the chemical industry sector. This is a significant challenge with chemical products such as plastics, fertilizers and many more products intertwined with today’s society and with CO2 emissions originating both from energy and from chemical conversions. This paper presents a detailed bottom-up production-based energy and emission calculation to make a 1.5 °C compatible scenario for the chemical industry based on three main measures compared to a business-as-usual scenario. This research found that the holistic combination of demand and supply measures is critical to reduce the different types of emissions in the sector (energy and non-energy process emissions). An overall reduction of 82% of CO2 emissions in 2050 is calculated with a decrease in base chemical production growth (− 21%), 100% renewable energy for heat and electricity (− 50%) and the introduction of novel electrical-based and biomass-based production technologies for ethylene, propylene, methanol and ammonia (− 10%). Critical system developments include slowing chemical demand growth with recycling and circularity best practices, advanced electrification of heat supply and the substantial market penetration of the current most advanced sustainable production technologies for methanol, ammonia, and ethylene based on their reasonable technology maturation trajectories. Here, green methanol and ammonia will require 381 TWh in 2030 and 3232 TWh in 2050 for green hydrogen electrolysis, which will represent 1% and 4% of global electricity demand.
... The global shift toward renewable energy is paving the way for emerging markets to adopt large-scale solar projects. Regions that have historically relied on fossil fuels are now exploring the potential for solar energy development (Breyer et al., 2022). Countries in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia are witnessing significant investments in solar infrastructure, driven by decreasing costs and favorable sunlight conditions. ...
Large-scale utility solar installations in the United States have gained momentum as a key component of the nation's renewable energy transition. This review examines the environmental impact and job creation associated with these projects, focusing on their contribution to decarbonizing the energy sector and stimulating economic growth. Utility-scale solar installations offer significant environmental benefits, particularly in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and displacing fossil fuel-based energy sources. They also contribute to improving air quality and mitigating climate change. However, challenges such as land use, habitat disruption, and water usage in arid regions present potential environmental concerns. To address these, mitigation strategies such as dual-use projects and siting solar farms on degraded lands are becoming more common. In addition to environmental advantages, utility-scale solar installations play a pivotal role in job creation and economic development. These projects generate a wide range of employment opportunities, particularly in construction, operations, and maintenance. The solar energy sector has grown rapidly, creating tens of thousands of jobs across various regions, including economically disadvantaged and rural areas. The economic ripple effect of solar job creation extends to local communities and related industries, further boosting economic activity. Workforce training and development initiatives are crucial for preparing workers to meet the demands of this growing sector, ensuring that job creation benefits are widespread and inclusive. Despite the positive impacts, challenges related to regulatory barriers, grid integration, and financing remain. This review underscores the importance of supportive policy frameworks and continued innovation to overcome these obstacles and maximize the potential of large-scale solar installations. Looking ahead, advancements in technology, energy storage, and grid infrastructure will be essential for sustaining the environmental and economic gains from utility-scale solar energy in the U.S.
