Materials for Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy Technologies—Advancements, Challenges and Prospects

In response to energy and environmental challenges like growing demand for energy, depleting fossil fuel reserves, soaring energy prices, risks with security of supplies, and above all climate change, the world is seeking a sustainable energy transition. With decarbonization being at its heart the energy transition is being primarily propelled by renewable energy. The global energy sector is already being led by solar energy and wind power with over 85% of the world’s total installed power generation capacity in 2023 coming from solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbines. In recent years solar PV and wind power have made huge advancements on technological fronts. This study examines the role advanced materials have played in the success of these technologies in terms of improving their durability, efficiency, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability. It also explores the materials-related challenges the renewable sector needs to address. The performance enhancement goals in the renewable sector – as reflected by the development of more efficient solar cells, and bigger and more powerful wind turbines, can only be achieved through more sophisticated and high-performance materials.