Applied Energy

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy accounts for 13.5% of the world’s total energy supply, and 22% of the world's electricity. Renewable energy systems are a major topic when discussing the globe's energy future for two main reasons: (1)Renewable energy systems provide energy from sources that will never deplete. Renewable energy systems produce less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuel energy systems. (2)While renewable energy systems are better for the environment and produce less emissions than conventional energy sources, many of these  sources still face difficulties in being deployed at a large scale including, but not limited to, technological barriers, high start-up capital costs, and intermittency challenges. It is important to note that the terms ‘renewable energy’, ‘green energy’ and ‘clean energy’ are not interchangeable in all cases.