Scientists agree: 100% renewable energy is possible

An increasing number of research studies show that an energy system based solely on renewable energy sources is possible by or before 2050.

Research from LUT University in Finland and 14 other leading international universities suggests that the new energy system would be based largely 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 scientific mainstream.

Hundreds of scientific studies have proven that 100% renewable energy systems can be achieved at 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. “A quickly increasing number of researchers conclude that the entire energy system demand can be met based on renewables, and that doing so will actually be cheaper in the long term, while fulfilling sustainability requirements,” concludes professor Christian Breyer from LUT University. “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.

Our research has shown that we have the technologies to implement a global energy supply based entirely on renewable energy,” says Dr. Sven Teske, Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). “The science clearly shows that a global 100% renewable energy supply is technically and economically possible. The next step is for our research to be included in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment reports, which are currently based on outdated energy scenario research,” Teske adds. Initially, research into 100% renewable energy systems encountered strong scepticism.

Now, leading researchers in the 100% renewable energy systems research community have combined their views. The study reflects developments in the research field, its current status, previous critique, and provides an outlook on future research needs. More than 20 authors from 15 organisations and 9 countries contributed to this joint research. According to these 15 leading universities, companies, NGOs, and governments need to work together in order to foster the public engagement that is needed to implement distributed sustainable energy systems. Researchers say that local ownership, governance, and market models must be developed to suit the varied contexts and cultural traditions around the globe.

Compiled by Reinhold Pape

Source: Helsinki Times and LUT University Link to the study: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=9837910