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
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