Can a solar-wind system meet future energy demands?

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.

What are the implications of k-means classification of global land-based solar–wind complementarity?

Table 1. Implications for regional energy systems derived from K-means classification of global land-based solar–wind complementarity over the period 1950–2021. Ideal for hybrid solar–wind systems; leverage seasonal offsets to minimize storage needs and ensure stable energy output.

Does land-based solar-wind complementarity exist in 2021?

Conclusions This study evaluates global land-based solar–wind complementarity from 1950 to 2021 using high-resolution ERA5-Land data at 0.1° × 0.1° (∼9 km) resolution, mapping spatial patterns, long-term trends, and seasonal dynamics of solar power density (SPD) and wind power density (WPD) at 100 m hub height.

Are solar and wind energy reliable?

Solar and wind energy, the two most abundant and rapidly expanding renewable resources, are central to this transition. However, their inherent intermittency—resulting from diurnal and seasonal variability—poses persistent challenges to energy system stability and reliability.