Clean energy
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Clean Energy: A Pathway to Sustainability and Energy Security
Introduction to Clean Energy Solutions
Clean energy solutions are pivotal for achieving sustainability and addressing the multifaceted challenges of energy production and consumption. These solutions encompass a variety of renewable and nuclear energy sources, each with distinct technical, economic, and environmental performance metrics. For instance, nuclear energy ranks highest in power generation efficiency, while geothermal energy excels in minimizing non-air pollution impacts such as land use and water contamination1. The integration of renewable energy-based systems can significantly reduce overall energy demand, system costs, and emissions, thereby enhancing efficiency and output generation1.
Clean Energy Transition and Material Requirements
The transition to a clean energy future promises numerous benefits, including job creation, energy independence, improved public health, and climate change mitigation. However, this transition necessitates a substantial increase in the production of energy-relevant materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, silicon, and copper. Scaling up the production of these materials without replicating the environmental and social harms of fossil fuel extraction is a critical challenge2.
Mainstreaming Clean Energy in Urban Areas
Urban areas, which dominate energy use and emissions, are key to solving energy and climate challenges. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are becoming mainstream options in these regions. Advanced strategies, including electricity-to-thermal conversion and linking renewable energy to e-mobility, can significantly increase the share of renewable energy without major storage requirements. For example, the Metropolitan Helsinki region could derive up to 60% of its electricity and 30% of its heat from wind power through such strategies3.
Strengthening Energy Security with Clean Energy
The development of clean energy is crucial for environmental protection and energy security. Clean energy sources like solar, wind, and water are renewable and do not deplete natural resources. The Paris Agreement and national decarbonization strategies have given a new impetus to clean energy development. Energy security, defined as reliable and affordable access to all fuels and energy sources, is enhanced by the stability and reliability of clean energy systems4.
Policy and Economic Implications of Clean Energy Transition
The transition to clean energy is driven by both policy and market forces. Effective policies are essential for integrating clean energy into the power grid and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Differences in economic structures and clean energy distributions lead to varied policy scopes and focuses across countries and states. For instance, the U.S. has diverse clean energy policies at the state and utility levels, covering renewable energies, electric vehicles, and energy storage7.
Technological Advancements and Future Prospects
Clean energy technologies are critical for achieving a net-zero emissions future. Despite significant progress, only a few technologies like solar PV, electric vehicles, and efficient lighting are on track for a net-zero economy by 2050. Continued efforts are needed to develop and deploy various clean energy technologies across all sectors. Research and development in low-carbon power generation, efficiency improvement, and waste reduction are essential for scaling up clean energy deployment8.
Environmental and Health Benefits
The expansion of solar and wind power has substantial environmental and health benefits. By reducing reliance on traditional electricity sources, these clean energy technologies help lower air pollution and avoid emissions, contributing to better public health and environmental quality9.
Conclusion
Clean energy is indispensable for a sustainable and secure energy future. The transition to clean energy involves overcoming material production challenges, integrating advanced renewable energy strategies, and implementing effective policies. Technological advancements and continued research are crucial for achieving a net-zero emissions future. The environmental and health benefits of clean energy further underscore its importance in the global energy landscape.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
A review on clean energy solutions for better sustainability
Nuclear energy is the most sustainable power source, while geothermal and biomass are effective for heating and cooling, with multigeneration systems offering numerous advantages.
Literature Review
Highly 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 CitedClean energy systems as mainstream energy options
Electricity-to-thermal conversion and renewable energy linked to e-mobility strategies can increase renewable energy use beyond traditional self-use limits, potentially enabling up to 60% of electricity and 30% of heat from wind power in urban areas.
The contribution of sustainable and clean energy to the strengthening of energy security
Sustainable and clean energy contributes significantly to energy security by providing reliable, affordable access to all fuels and energy sources, while also promoting environmental friendliness and reducing depletion of natural resources.
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 JournalIs 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.
A Review of Clean Electricity Policies—From Countries to Utilities
This paper provides a comprehensive review of clean energy policies across countries, states, and utilities, highlighting the differences in scope, focus, and coverage between different clean energy initiatives.
Literature ReviewClean energy technologies for a net-zero emissions future: an editorial for the special issue comprising of the selected papers presented at the 13th and 14th International Green Energy Conferences (IGEC2021 and IGEC2022), both held online
This special issue highlights the advancement of clean energy technologies, promoting a net-zero emissions future through low-carbon power generation, efficiency improvement, and waste and emission reduction.
The climate and air-quality benefits of wind and solar power in the United States
Wind and solar power in the US have significantly reduced air pollution and avoided emissions, leading to improved climate and air-quality benefits.
Highly CitedOpportunities and challenges for a sustainable energy future
Sustainable energy alternatives, such as solar and water-based generation, offer promising opportunities for a prosperous, sustainable, and secure energy future.
Highly Cited