The role of renewable energy in the global energy transformation

Hydrogen production for energy: An overview

Challenges in the decarbonization of the energy sector

Biogas is acknowledged as one of the foremost bioenergy to address the current environmental and energy challenges being faced by the world. Commonly, biogas is used for applications like cooking, lighting, heat and power production. To widen the scope of biogas application, like transportation, natural gas grid injection and substrate for the production of chemicals and fuel cells, mainly CO2, H2S and other impurities need to be removed by various upgrading technologies. It is an important process to produce biomethane with above 90% methane. There are various physico-chemical (adsorption, absorption, cryogenic and membrane separations) and biological (in situ and ex situ) processes for biogas upgradation, and each process is site and case specific. The aim of the present paper is to thoroughly evaluate the existing and emerging biogas upgrading technologies. Analysis of each technology with respect to basis of operations, energy requirement, methane purity and recovery and cost economics has been carried out. A thorough analysis has been done on the major hurdles and the research gaps in this sector. For a wider and successful implementation of the biogas upgradation technology, the trends in research and development (R&D) such as development of efficient biogas upgrading technologies, adsorbents, reduction in cost and methane loss have been thoroughly evaluated.

Evaluation of biogas upgrading technologies and future perspectives: a review

Given both the ongoing expansion of world population and development of climate change conditions, it is increasingly imperative to develop and deploy sustainable biomass production methods to allow establishment of a flourishing and sustainable bioeconomy. Green technologies, including biofuels and bioproducts, are among the most effective strategies for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, while meeting humanity's energy requirements. Biomass now provides a measure of energy to many countries, however supporting technologies are not widely accepted, largely because of low returns for biomass producers. This paper provides an overview of world biomass production and utilization. It also indicates potential approaches for enhancing biomass production: agronomic practices, associated microorganisms, genome editing, selection of optimal technologies, best combination approaches for feeding global human and animal populations, while, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and replacing demand for fossil energy with bioenergy. A more novel concept is proposed, microbe-to-plant signal compounds, as the potential approach to address the challenges we are facing. These compounds (e.g., lipo-chitooligosaccharide and thuricin 17) have been shown to increase growth for diverse plant species, particularly when they are growing under stressful conditions, however, their commercial development/utilization is far from complete. This review paper will expand the understanding of using the signal interaction between crop and beneficial microorganisms not only to enhance plant growth but also promote agricultural sustainability and a stronger bioeconomy.

Biomass for a sustainable bioeconomy: An overview of world biomass production and utilization

Increased use of renewable energy, combined with intensified electrification, could prove decisive for the world to meet key climate goals by 2050. This study from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) highlights immediately deployable, cost-effective options for countries to fulfil climate commitments and limit the rise of global temperatures. The envisaged energy transformation would also reduce net costs and bring significant socio-economic benefits, such as increased economic growth, job creation and overall welfare gains.The report – the second under the Global Energy Transformation banner – expands IRENA’s comprehensive roadmap, which examines technology pathways and policy implications to ensure a sustainable energy future. Ramping up electricity to over half of the global energy mix (up from one-fifth currently) in combination with renewables would reduce the use of fossil fuels, responsible for most greenhouse-gas emissions.

Global energy Transformation: A Roadmap to 2050

The global energy transformation is more than a simple transformation of the energy sector—it is a multi-faceted transformation of our societies and economies. The transition towards a decarbonised global energy system can be realised much more cost-efficiently than previously thought due in part to the rapidly falling costs of renewable energy technologies. This chapter highlights the urgent need for an accelerated energy transition to 2050. Since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and despite the growth of renewable energy technologies, energy-related CO2 emissions have risen by around 4%. In this context, the next years and decades are critical and the revisions of the NDCs in 2020 in combination with Long-term Strategies must yield a convincing outcome for an energy transition that puts the world on a global pathway to reduced emissions. Technologies for these systems are available today, are deployable and cost-competitive at a large scale and there are quite a lot of studies exploring 100% RE scenarios, indicating that it is clearly topic of growing interest. On this context, the analysis—part of International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) latest global energy transformation roadmap details an energy transition pathway for the global energy-system to meet the Paris Agreement of “well-below 2 °C”. By 2050, renewable energy in the power sector could reach 86%, while representing two-third of total primary energy supply mix. The pace of energy transition can be ramped up by several inter-related factors, ranging from technologies to socio-economics, to institutional drivers and different forms of finance.

Role of IRENA for Global Transition to 100% Renewable Energy

The World Energy Transitions Outlook preview outlines a pathway for the world to achieve the Paris Agreement goals and halt the pace of climate change by transforming the global energy landscape. This preview presents options to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C and bring CO2 emissions closer to net zero by mid-century, offering high-level insights on technology choices, investment needs and the socio-economic contexts of achieving a sustainable, resilient and inclusive energy future.Meeting CO2 reduction targets by 2050 will require a combination of: technology and innovation to advance the energy transition and improve carbon management; supportive and proactive policies; associated job creation and socio-economic improvements; and international co-operation to guarantee energy availability and access.Among key findings:Proven technologies for a net-zero energy system already largely exist today. Renewable power, green hydrogen and modern bioenergy will dominate the world of energy of the future.A combination of technologies is needed to keep us on a 1.5°C climate pathway. These include increasingly efficient energy production to ensure economic growth; decarbonised power systems that are dominated by renewables; increased use of electricity in buildings, industry and transport to support decarbonisation; expanded production and use of green hydrogen, synthetic fuels and feedstocks; and targeted use of sustainably sourced biomass.In anticipation of the coming energy transition, financial markets and investors are already directing capital away from fossil fuels and towards other energy technologies including renewables.Energy transition investment will have to increase by 30% over planned investment to a total of USD 131 trillion between now and 2050, corresponding to USD 4.4 trillion on average every year.National social and economic policies will play fundamental roles in delivering the energy transition at the speed required to restrict global warming to 1.5°C.This preview identifies opportunities to support informed policy and decision making to establish a new global energy system. Following this preview and aligned with the UN High-Level Dialogue process, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) will release the full report which will provide a comprehensive vision and accompanying policy measures for the transition.

Ricardo Gorini

Papers

The role of renewable energy in the global energy transformation

Global energy Transformation: A Roadmap to 2050

Role of IRENA for Global Transition to 100% Renewable Energy

World Energy Transitions Outlook: 1.5°C Pathway