Globally interconnected solar-wind system
Here, we outline an optimized, phased pathway for integrating solar and wind energy into a globally interconnected and fully coordinated
Accelerating energy transition towards renewables is central to net-zero emissions. However, building a global power system dominated by solar and wind energy presents immense challenges. Here, we demonstrate the potential of a globally interconnected solar-wind system to meet future electricity demands.
Eberhard, A. et al. Accelerating investments in power in sub-Saharan Africa. Nat. Energy 2, 1–5 (2017). Lu, T. et al. India's potential for integrating solar and on-and offshore wind power into its energy system.
Theoretically, the potential of solar and wind resources on Earth vastly surpasses human demand 33, 34. In our pursuit of a globally interconnected solar-wind system, we have focused solely on the potentials that are exploitable, accessible, and interconnectable (see “Methods”).
Our estimates suggest that the total electricity generation from global interconnectable solar-wind potential could reach a staggering level of [237.33 ± 1.95] × 10³ TWh/year (mean ± standard deviation; the standard deviation is due to climatic fluctuations).
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