Is it possible to power the entire world with renewables?

[Jasper Walker]

Yes. In 2015, researchers at Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley found that 100% wind and solar power could provide electricity to the U.S. more reliably and with lower costs than the current system by 2050. Advancements have only made that more attainable in the years since.

We could write an entire blog just on this question. For now, let’s look at LUT University and Energy Watch Group’s study. Here’s what they found:

A renewable energy system across power, heat, transport, and water sanitation, led by solar and wind, is more efficient and cost-effective than our current energy system. Combined, solar and wind would account for 88 percent of the total energy supply, which could decarbonize the power and heat sectors by as early as 2030 and the transport sector between 2030 and 2050.

You don’t have to be an energy expert to grasp what a pivotal time it is in the energy industry. The green transition is well underway, but it needs universal buy-in to achieve full impact. That starts with understanding the basics. The biggest takeaway should be this: clean energy must and will power the world–and anyone can get involved.

[Ezekiel Mateos]

Yes. In 2015, researchers at Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley found that 100% wind and solar power could provide electricity to the U.S. more reliably and with lower costs than the current system by 2050. Advancements have only made that more attainable in the years since.

We could write an entire blog just on this question. For now, let’s look at LUT University and Energy Watch Group’s study. Here’s what they found:

A renewable energy system across power, heat, transport, and water sanitation, led by solar and wind, is more efficient and cost-effective than our current energy system. Combined, solar and wind would account for 88 percent of the total energy supply, which could decarbonize the power and heat sectors by as early as 2030 and the transport sector between 2030 and 2050.

You don’t have to be an energy expert to grasp what a pivotal time it is in the energy industry. The green transition is well underway, but it needs universal buy-in to achieve full impact. That starts with understanding the basics. The biggest takeaway should be this: clean energy must and will power the world–and anyone can get involved.

Renewable capacity expansion in the next five years will be much faster than what was expected just a year ago. Over 2022-2027, renewables are seen growing by almost 2 400 GW in our main forecast, equal to the entire installed power capacity of China today. That’s an 85% acceleration from the previous five years, and almost 30% higher than what was forecast in last year’s report, making it our largest ever upward revision.

Renewables are set to account for over 90% of global electricity capacity expansion over the forecast period. The upward revision is mainly driven by China, the European Union, the United States and India, which are all implementing existing policies and regulatory and market reforms, while also introducing new ones more quickly than expected in reaction to the energy crisis.

[Jasper Walker]

In many parts of the world, renewables represent the lowest-cost source of new power generation technology, and costs continue to decline. Especially for cities in middle- and low-income countries, renewable energy is the only way to expand energy access to all inhabitants, particularly those living in urban slums and informal settlements, in suburban and peri-urban areas and in remote areas.

[Rverett Yeyson]

Turning to 100% renewable would require a bit more infrastructure than it has now. We need much higher generation capacities, a good battery storage system, or a pure solar full-Earth grid. While mixing solar and wind, a battery storage system will be required so that the energy can be stored at times of peak production and can be used during times of less or no production.

With technological improvements, it would be possible in the near future to send solar power anywhere on the globe even without the help of batteries. For instance, a grid that wraps around the globe could easily do it.

Based on Bloomberg NEF forecasts, solar and wind will power half the globe by 2050. By that time, coal and nuclear will be replaced by cheaper renewables and natural gas. Though wind, water, geothermal, and waves can be added to the mix, solar power, and wind energy are the main contributors to the power business in most parts of the world. see them here.