As climate change accelerates, global demand for renewable energy is growing rapidly. In 2024, we expect to witness significant technological breakthroughs that will transform the green energy landscape. This article explores the most promising developments in renewable power generation, energy storage, biofuels and geothermal energy that could emerge over the next year.
Solar Power Innovations
Higher Efficiency Solar Cells
One major focus for solar companies is improving photovoltaic (PV) cell efficiency. By 2024, new solar cells could achieve over 25% conversion efficiency, reducing the overall costs per watt of solar power generation. Startups are also developing thinner and more flexible solar films, enabling new applications like building-integrated solar windows and portable chargers.
Concentrated Solar Power with Storage
Concentrated solar power (CSP), which uses mirrors to focus sunlight on a receiver, will gain traction in sun-rich regions. Coupling CSP plants with molten salt thermal storage allows solar energy to be dispatched consistently day and night. Scientists are also working on solid particle receivers that can store even more energy in smaller volumes.
Mainstreaming Building-Integrated Solar
Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) will become a prime choice for residential and commercial rooftops and facades. Solar roof tiles and windows will generate clean power while serving as weatherproofing elements. Flexible thin-film solar cells will be deployed on surfaces regardless of shape, from glass curtain walls to membrane structures.
Wind Energy Breakthroughs
Bigger and Better Turbines
Onshore wind power capacity will expand significantly by 2024. Turbines with up to 10 megawatt (MW) capacity will be installed, lowering electricity costs. Their height, rotor diameters and reliability will increase too. Vertical axis turbines will complement traditional horizontal axis designs for lower wind speed sites.
Floating Offshore Wind Farms
Floating wind power platforms will unlock abundant offshore wind resources. Anchored to the seafloor yet able to access ocean depths over 1000 meters, floating turbines do not require expensive seabed foundations. Recent successful projects may inspire more global offshore wind development using this transformative approach.
Airborne Wind Power
Airborne wind energy systems that fly wind turbines on tethers hundreds of meters above the earth may inch closer to commercial viability. Harnessing stronger winds and allowing access to previously untapped geographies, leading startups are conducting trials of these futuristic kite-like or aircraft-based designs.
Advances in Energy Storage
Falling Battery Prices
Continued declines in lithium-ion battery prices below the $100/kWh milestone will expand energy storage applications. Sustainable battery chemistries using less or no cobalt will be introduced. Solid-state lithium batteries will offer increased energy density and safety. Grid-scale storage capacity will rise into the gigawatt-hour range.
Growth of Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen produced via renewable electricity electrolysis will gain momentum. Fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks and long-distance buses will expand from pilot projects to broader adoption. As more hydrogen fueling stations are built, the first fuel cell passenger cars may arrive from major automakers.
Novel Storage Technologies
In addition to batteries and hydrogen, new storage technologies will emerge. Compressed air storage in underground caverns and mines can store excess wind and solar power. Flow batteries utilizing low-cost abundant materials could finally prove cost-effective after years of development. Chemical storage via ammonia and synthetic liquid fuels also shows promise as a clean power carrier.
Sustainable Heating Innovations
Advanced Bioenergy
Sustainably-sourced bioenergy from wastes and residues will grow as a renewable substitute for fossil fuel heating. Strict standards will be enacted to ensure net carbon reductions from bioenergy systems. Gasification, pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion will produce biogas, biofuels and heat for buildings and industrial processes.
Geothermal Heating and Power
Accessing geothermal energy will get easier with advanced drilling techniques to reach subsurface hot spots. Smaller-scale geothermal systems will provide direct heating for homes and offices using ground and water source heat pumps. Hybrid solar-geothermal plants will generate consistent renewable baseload power, mitigating intermittency challenges.
Conclusion
In summary, green energy is poised for immense innovation and expansion in 2024 across renewable power generation, energy storage, biofuels and geothermal solutions. Driven by enabling technologies, favorable policies and economics, climate-friendly energy will transform how the world is powered. The transition to a net-zero emissions future looks increasingly achievable this decade.