BGR Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe

Renewable Energy

The range of renewable energy resources is wide. It includes the "classic" renewables such as solid biomass (e.g. firewood) and hydropower as well as the "modern" renewables wind power, solar energy, geothermal energy, tidal currents and various forms of biogenic resources. The potential uses are no less diverse and include electricity generation, heating and cooling, as well as fuels in the traffic and transport sector. The majority of renewable energy resources are used to generate electricity.

The share of renewables continues to rise, especially for electricity generation. Wind energy in particular plays a role in the expansion of renewable energy resources. But the use of solar energy is also being intensively promoted. Worldwide, the capacity for electricity generation from renewables is around 2,800 GW (as of 2020). A major challenge is the need to integrate renewables more strongly into the energy market through suitable infrastructure projects or to replace systems that were previously powered by conventional energy resources. In 2020, around 20 % of global primary energy consumption had been covered by renewable energy resources. Of this, more than 50 % is accounted for by biogenic energy resources, more than 30 % by hydropower and around one tenth by modern renewables such as solar and wind power.

The largest users of renewables for power generation 2020The largest users of renewables for power generation 2020 Source: BGR, BP

In the future, further expansion and additions are foreseeable in all areas of energy supply. In recent years, there has been increased investment, especially in developing and emerging countries. Investments in renewable energy resources and the expansion of generation capacities will further increase the influence of renewables globally, especially in the electricity sector. In addition, their share will also grow in the heat and transport sectors in the medium term.

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