Renewable energy is expanding rapidly as innovation drives costs down and it delivers on the promise of a clean, sustainable future. This is most evident in electricity generation where solar and wind are displacing natural gas and coal-fired generators on an hourly basis. Combined, they provide the cheapest power in most regions. When renewables are produced, they displace fossil generation and help reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the grid.
The sun’s energy is a primary renewable resource that produces a wide range of energy products from heating buildings to generating electricity. Different technologies exist and are being developed to capture solar radiation for these uses, including photovoltaic (PV) technology which turns sunlight into electricity. Solar thermal and biomass technologies also use the sun to heat or generate electricity.
Wind power uses the natural kinetic energy of the sun and air to produce electricity. Wind turbines have tall towers with propeller-like blades at the top that spin when the wind blows. These blades are connected to a shaft that powers a generator, which in turn creates electricity. Wind farms are found in many states and along the coasts, where steady winds can offer a cost-effective source of energy.
Other renewable resources include geothermal, concentrated solar power with molten salt heat storage and ocean technologies. Their share of the global energy mix is growing, but they remain small. In 2023, non-bioenergy renewables accounted for about 30% of the total renewable energy production.