Achieving 100% renewable energy system across the world by 2050 possible

Hundreds of scientific studies have proven that 100% renewable energy systems can be achieved on global, regional, and national levels by or before 2050. The number of published studies has grown by 27% annually since the year 2010 and continues to grow each year. Research from 15 leading international universities suggests that a new system would be mainly based on solar and wind energy, energy storage, sector coupling, and direct and indirect electrification of almost all energy demand.

An energy system that is 100% based on renewables has emerged to become the scientific mainstream.

Key pillars of this new energy system are solar and wind energy, energy storage, sector coupling, and electrification of all energy and industry sectors implying power-to-X and hydrogen-to-X solutions, complemented by upcoming carbon dioxide removal to help stabilize the climate. The topical review is entitled “On the History and Future of 100% Renewable Energy Systems Research” and published in IEEE Access.

Initially, the research of 100% renewable energy systems encountered strong skepticism. Now, leading researchers of the 100% renewable energy systems research community have combined their views. The article reflects the development of the research field, the present status, the past critique and provides an outlook on future research needs. More than 20 authors from 15 organizations and 9 countries contributed to this joint research.

According to the United Nations, over 160 firms with $70 trillion in assets are committed to decarbonize the global economy, which means phasing out fossil fuels by 2050.