Energy Transition and Decarbonization: Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions

Energy Transition and Decarbonization  – The shift toward renewable sources drives energy transition and decarbonization, reducing global dependence on carbon-intensive fuels.

Beyond solar, wind, and hydro, other technologies are advancing:

Advanced Solar: Innovations include perovskite solar cells (promising higher efficiency) and bifacial solar panels (capturing light from both sides). Floatvoltaics (floating solar farms) are also gaining traction to reduce land use and increase efficiency.

Green Hydrogen: Electrolysis powered by renewables is scaling up for producing green hydrogen, which is being explored for use in fuel cells and industrial processes.

Geothermal and Ocean Energy: These technologies harness the Earth’s internal heat or the kinetic/thermal energy of seawater, respectively, offering stable, non-intermittent power sources.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): While not a renewable source, CCS is an essential decarbonization technology, particularly for industrial sectors, and is sometimes paired with bioenergy (BECCS) to achieve net-negative emissions.

The transition is a complex process spanning electricity, transport, industry, and buildings.

Key Drivers
Climate Imperative: The primary driver is the urgent need to limit global warming by reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, particularly from the energy sector, which is the largest contributor.

Cost Competitiveness: Renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, are now the most affordable sources of new power in most parts of the world, making them economically superior to new fossil fuel alternatives.

Energy Security and Independence: Countries are seeking to reduce dependence on volatile, imported fossil fuels, making locally available renewables a strategic asset for greater energy independence and stability.

Technological Maturity: Core technologies like solar PV and wind are highly mature, scalable, and continue to see rapid efficiency gains.