Clean energy transition
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Clean Energy Transition: Pathways, Challenges, and Opportunities
Introduction to Clean Energy Transition
The transition to clean energy is a critical global initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions, enhancing energy security, and promoting sustainable development. This transition involves shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and biomass. The process is driven by both policy and market forces, and it encompasses a wide range of technological, economic, and social dimensions1.
Key Research Streams in Clean Energy Transition
Energy Transition and Policy
Research identifies several main streams in the clean energy field, including the impact of energy policies on carbon emissions and the role of market dynamics in promoting clean energy technologies. Effective policy-making is crucial for facilitating the transition, with a focus on carbon taxes, research subsidies, and reducing fossil fuel subsidies1 5. Policies must be designed to address both the economic and social aspects of the transition to ensure a just and equitable shift3.
Economic and Technological Viability
The economic viability of clean energy technologies has improved significantly, with advancements in renewable energy generation and storage technologies. Studies highlight the technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of 100% renewable energy systems, which can lead to substantial energy savings and universal access to low-cost energy6 9. Innovations in battery storage are particularly important for overcoming the intermittency challenges of wind and solar power, making renewable energy more reliable and competitive with fossil fuels10.
Social and Equity Implications
The transition to clean energy has significant social implications, particularly in terms of equity and justice. While the benefits of clean energy are substantial, the costs and opportunities are not equally distributed. Certain communities and socio-economic groups may bear the burdens of the transition, such as job losses in the fossil fuel sector or lack of access to new opportunities3. Ensuring a just transition requires targeted policies and programs that address these disparities and support vulnerable populations.
Global Interdependence and Energy Security
The global nature of the energy industry means that clean energy transitions are influenced by international dynamics and interdependencies. Governments must navigate complex demands from domestic industries and global economic competition, making strategic policy choices that consider transnational impacts8. Energy security is also a critical concern, particularly in the context of geopolitical tensions and supply chain dependencies. Diversifying energy sources and increasing energy efficiency are key strategies for enhancing energy security while transitioning to clean energy7.
Challenges and Future Directions
Technological and Economic Barriers
Despite significant progress, several challenges remain in the clean energy transition. The need for substantial scaling up of energy-relevant materials, such as lithium and cobalt for batteries, poses environmental and social challenges that must be addressed to avoid replicating the harms of the fossil fuel industry4. Additionally, the transition can be slow and costly without adequate policy support, highlighting the importance of sustained investment in research and development5.
Socioeconomic and Policy Challenges
Achieving a successful clean energy transition also requires addressing socioeconomic barriers, such as the high initial costs of renewable energy technologies and the resistance from entrenched fossil fuel interests. Policies must be designed to reduce these barriers and promote the widespread adoption of clean energy, particularly in lower and middle-income countries where the benefits of clean energy can significantly enhance household well-being2.
Conclusion
The clean energy transition is a multifaceted process that requires coordinated efforts across technological, economic, and social dimensions. While significant progress has been made, ongoing research and policy innovation are essential to overcome the remaining challenges and ensure a just and equitable transition. By addressing these challenges, we can pave the way for a sustainable and secure energy future that benefits all.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
A systematic bibliometric review of clean energy transition: Implications for low-carbon development
Clean energy transition research focuses on improving energy efficiency through advanced technologies and targeted policies, leading to low-carbon development.
Systematic Review
Rigorous JournalClean energy transitions and human well-being outcomes in Lower and Middle Income Countries: A systematic review
Clean energy adoption in Lower and Middle Income Countries is associated with higher household education, incomes, asset holdings, and credit and subsidy programs, potentially promoting socioeconomic benefits.
Systematic Review
Highly CitedThe justice and equity implications of the clean energy transition
The clean energy transition will not be equally distributed, and future research is needed to address these disparities and ensure no one is left behind.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedThe matter of a clean energy future
A clean energy transition will create jobs, promote independence, improve public health, and mitigate climate change, but requires scaling up production of energy-relevant materials without re-inflicting environmental harms and social inequities.
Highly CitedTransition to Clean Technology
Carbon taxes and research subsidies can encourage the transition to clean technologies, but relying solely on carbon taxes or delaying intervention may have significant welfare costs.
Highly CitedIs the success of clean energy guaranteed?
Clean energy technologies are technically and economically viable with lower support levels, and new financial mechanisms like grid parity and hourly markets can enable the transition to a demand-following variable renewable energy system.
Energy Security and Energy Transition to Achieve Carbon Neutrality
EU nations can achieve carbon neutrality by shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, addressing energy security and dependency issues through diversification, energy savings, and rapid renewable energy adoption.
Highly CitedGlobal interdependence in clean energy transitions
Global interdependence significantly impacts clean energy transitions, affecting economic and environmental outcomes, competitive advantage, and the pace of technology diffusion.
Low-cost renewable electricity as the key driver of the global energy transition towards sustainability
100% renewable energy systems are technically feasible and economically viable, offering 50% energy savings, universal access to fresh water, and low-cost energy supply for a sustainable and secure energy future.
Highly CitedEnergy storage deployment and innovation for the clean energy transition
Advances in battery storage technology and policies can enable cost-effective, low-carbon electricity by enabling combinations of solar, wind, and storage to compete directly with fossil-based options.
Highly Cited