Search

There is no doubt that the transition towards renewable energies is generating many changes on different continents, some with greater impacts than others, but the development that has occurred is recognized and widely accepted. The progress has been significant but it is necessary to analyze the roadmaps that have been proposed so far at the island level so that decision makers have sufficient tools to commit the much-needed economic resources to transform their energy systems into 100% renewable ones. These approaches are not simple and the hard work of the authors who have disseminated their research is recognized. The roadmaps are planned based on the energy potential available in the territories and the future energy demand. Within countries, it is important to increase the economic resources to allocate to investments in environmentally friendly renewable energies. In this review of 100% renewable smart systems on islands, the situation of the American continent, its challenges and its long-term approaches in the different geographical areas facing 2050 are analyzed. This article shows that research into the design of 100% renewable energy systems in scientific articles is fairly new but has gained more and more attention in recent years. In total, 175 articles published since 2002 were identified and analyzed. Many of these articles have a predominant focus on the electricity sector. As a general result, it has been determined that although there has been significant progress towards an orderly energy transition, this has not been consistent with the international agreements signed since the Paris Summit, which is a real challenge in complying with the new commitment of the COP28 of Dubai in tripling the participation of renewables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy transformation in Poland, including the need to accelerate the shift away from hard coal and lignite in the power system, has been taking place in the face of the energy crisis. Ambitious climate and economic goals force the development of renewable energy sources, but they require legislative changes for the benefit of socially vulnerable consumers. This is important from the point of view of counteracting energy poverty. Energy transformation is not only a change in the fuel used, but most of all, the path and basis of low-carbon development that changes many socio-economic systems. The aim of this study is to link the development and environmental challenges in the studied subject matter with social challenges. The analyses show that it is necessary to strengthen the use of local energy potential and resources, and to activate local communities. The construction of nuclear power plants is also crucial. The results of the presented theoretical and empirical studies can be the basis for a revision of the energy policy in Poland in the area of the social dimension of the energy sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve the goal of a carbon neutral EU by 2050 and meet the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, a sustainable, efficient, competitive and secure energy system needs to be developed. This paper presents the synthesis of sustainable renewable energy supply networks within the EU-27, proposing a stepwise energy transition in the transport and power sectors, achieving a carbon net neutral target by 2050. A multi-period mixed-integer programming model is developed, with the objective of maximizing sustainability net present value, considering different biomass and waste resources for the production of biofuels, renewable electricity, hydrogen, food and bioproducts, employing different types of technologies. The results show that, with further development of existing technologies, the goal of a carbon-neutral EU can be achieved without compromising food production. Wind farms have proven to be the most promising solution at present for the rapid expansion of electricity generation from renewable energy sources, while the importance of solar photovoltaics is increasing over the years, reaching the 43% share of electricity generation from RES in 2050. Moreover, the energy transition within the EU could have a significant positive impact on the economic, environmental and also social aspects of sustainability, with more than 1.5 million new job opportunities created across the EU over the next 30 years. [Display omitted] • Mathematical programming approach for the transition to carbon-neutral EU by 2050. • Critical review of technologies and synthesis of renewable energy supply networks. • Sustainable multi-period selection of locations, products and types of technologies. • Large economic, eco and social benefits if optimization is carried out at EU level. • Carbon-neutral EU can be achieved through further development of technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]