. Research about sustainable energy in general or across different types.
Other energy-need reductions Research and development of (technical) means to substantially or systematically reduce need for energy beyond smart grids, education / educational technology (such as about differential environmental impacts of diets), transportation infrastructure (bicycles and rail transport) and conventional improvements of
energy efficiency on the level of the energy system.
2020 • A study shows a set of different scenarios of minimal energy requirements for providing decent
living standards globally, finding that – according to their models, assessments and data – by 2050 global energy use could be reduced to 1960 levels despite 'sufficiency' still being materially relatively generous.
2022 • A trial of estimated financial energy cost of
refrigerators alongside
EU energy-efficiency class (EEEC) labels online finds that the approach of labels involves a trade-off between
financial considerations and higher cost requirements in effort or time for the product-selection from the
many available options which are often unlabelled and don't have any EEEC-requirement for being bought, used or sold within the EU.
Materials and recycling 2020 • Researchers report that mining for
renewable energy production will increase threats to
biodiversity and publish a map of areas that contain needed materials as well as estimations of their overlaps with "Key Biodiversity Areas", "Remaining Wilderness" and "Protected Areas". The authors assess that careful
strategic planning is needed.
2021 •
Neodymium, an essential
rare-earth element (REE), plays a key role in making permanent magnets for wind turbines. Demand for REEs is expected to double by 2035 due to renewable energy growth, posing environmental risks, including
radioactive waste from their extraction.
2023 • A study finds that the world has
enough rare earths and other raw materials to
switch from fossil fuels to
renewable energy. • A new viable
lithium-ion battery recycling method is reported. via regulations that, for example, enable the
International Seabed Authority to actively engage in generating and synthesizing information.
2021 • A moratorium on deep-sea mining until rigorous and transparent impact assessments are carried out is adopted at the 2021 world congress of the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The vote, however, has no legal implications given that deep-sea mining regulations continue to be governed by the
International Seabed Authority as established by
UNCLOS. Researchers have outlined why there is a need to avoid mining the deep sea. • Nauru requested the ISA to finalize rules so that The Metals Company be approved to begin work in 2023. • Belgian company
Global Sea Mineral Resources (GSR) and the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) conduct a test in the CCZ with a prototype mining vehicle named Patania II. This test was the first of its kind since the late 1970s.
2023 • Supporters of mining were led by Norway, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, and supported by
The Metals Company. • Chinese prospecting ship Dayang Hao prospected in China-licensed areas in the Clarion Clipperton Zone. • On February 7, 2024, the
European Parliament voted in favor of a Motion for Resolution, expressing environmental concerns regarding Norway's decision to open vast areas in Arctic waters for deep-sea mining activities and reaffirming its support for a moratorium. • In July 2024, at the 29th General Assembly of the International Seabed Authority in Kingston, Jamaica, 32 countries united against the imminent start of mining for metallic nodules on the seafloor. In his address titled "
Upholding the Common Heritage of Humankind", President
Surangel S. Whipps Jr. of
Palau spoke about exploitation and modern-day colonialism. • In November 2024, the
People's Republic of China unveiled its first deep-sea drilling vehicle. • In December 2024
Norway suspended deep sea mining, after the Socialist Left (SV) party said that otherwise, it would not support the budget.
2025 • On January 1st, 2025, Brazilian oceanographer
Leticia Carvalho assumed the office of Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, after being elected in August 2024 to succeed
Michael Lodge in the position. • In April 2025, U.S. President Trump signed an Executive Order instructing the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to expedite permits for companies to mine in both international and U.S. territorial waters, which would undermine the authority of the International Seabed Authority. • Beginning in March and ending in July of 2025, the International Seabed Authority held their 30th session in Kingston, Jamaica, and again failed to agree on exploitative regulations for commercial deep sea mining in the Area.
2026 • The International Seabed Authority will begin their 31st session on February 23rd, 2026, as part of "Part 1" of the gathering, where the Legal and Technical Commission will meet. On March 6th, the session will end, before transitioning to a meeting of the Council from the 9th to 20th of the month. On June 29th, "Part 2" will commence, and will last until July 31st.
Maintenance Maintenance of sustainable energy systems could
be automated, standardized and simplified and the required resources and efforts for such get reduced via research relevant for their design and processes like
waste management.
2022 • Researchers demonstrate electrostatic dust removal from solar panels.
Economics 2021 • A review finds that the pace of cost-decline of renewables has been underestimated and that an "open cost-database would greatly benefit the energy scenario community". A 2022 study comes to similar conclusions.
2022 • A study investigates funding allocations for
public investment in energy
research, development and demonstration. It provides insights about , that may be relevant to
adjusting (or facilitating) "investment in
clean energy" "to come close to achieving meaningful
global decarbonization", suggesting advancement of impactful "".
Feasibility studies and energy system models 2020 • A study suggests that all sector defossilisation can be achieved worldwide even for nations with severe conditions. The study suggests that integration impacts depend on "demand profiles, flexibility and storage cost".
2021 • Researchers develop an
energy system model for
100% renewable energy, examining
feasibility and
grid stability in the U.S.
2022 • A revised or updated version of a major worldwide
100% renewable energy proposed plan and model is published. • Researchers
review the scientific literature on
100% renewable energy, addressing various issues,
outlining open research questions, and concluding there to be growing consensus, research and empirical evidence concerning its feasibility worldwide.
2023 s with heat pumps is the fastest way to cut
German gas consumption, despite "
gas-industry lobbyists and [...] politicians" at the time making "the case for hydrogen" amid some policy changes, for which the former study revealed a need to "
mitigate increased costs Consumer expenditure|for [many of the] consumers". == See also ==