Policy Options: R&D

IEA's conclusions of recent R&D breakthroughs:

• Due to recent technical and market deployment breakthroughs, confidence is building up that the world is beginning the transition to a sustainable energy system that will be largely dependent on renewable resources;
  
  
• The contribution of hydroelectricity, bioenergy and geothermal energy is significant and accounts for several percentage points of the world primary energy use;
  
  
• Renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar photovoltaics (PV are fast improving their cost effectiveness and they are being deployed in the market place at impressive rates. Annual sales of wind turbines account for several billion dollars (US) per year and are increasing at a rate of about 30%/y;
  
  
• Solar thermal low-temperature applications in buildings (passive and active) can contribute significantly towards a lower fuel demand for space and water heating. Prospects are good for broad market introduction in many areas with moderate climate;
  
  
• New sustainable energy options based on fuel cells, energy storage and hybrid systems are becoming reality and their market commercialization may be closer than it was thought just a few years ago;
  
  
• Synergy between almost all renewable energy sources and energy efficiency options is considered an absolute requirement to quick market deployment; and
  
  
• Additional R&D, along with determined policy support for market deployment are viewed as the way to expedite the evolution of renewable energy to the point where it can double or triple its contribution to our energy needs.

Source:

Needs for Renewables, IEA