Abstract
The concerns about climate change mitigation, decarbonization in critical sectors, and environmental pollution reduction have instigated a global surge in the use of renewables. As distributed energy resources (DER) proliferate, the existing power grid may be transformed into a carbon-free power system, ensuring that everyone has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy. However, there are some practical impediments and challenges in the transition of the global energy system. Hence, the present study aims to examine the benefits, technological advancements, problems, and solutions for establishing a global sustainable green grid. This study also provides a comprehensive literature review of strategic research direction relating to energy transition in various sectors; identification of major issues and challenges in renewable power network; investment requirements in clean electricity generation; operational challenges of 100% renewable integration into the power grids; and power pool interconnection issues for building a renewable energy system on a global scale. Through reviewing several emerging low-carbon technologies, this article offers insights into the feasibility and sustainability assessment of transnational clean electricity networks for supplying power throughout the world. The findings of this study highlight the potential of adopting variable renewable energy (VRE) systems in the development of a global eco-friendly grid. It also confirms that solar PV systems on a global scale of 8519 gigawatts would reduce 4.9 Gt of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fulfill 25% of global electricity demand by 2050. The review affirms that intercontinental solar power infrastructure can ensure solar power supply to solar power deficient countries, allowing the world to move toward a sustainable and clean energy future. Finally, this work suggests future research opportunities for the global clean energy system.
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•This study shows global investment in variable renewable energy (VRE) technologies highly favors SDG-7.•Of all the low-carbon technology alternatives, cumulative solar PV deployment of 8519 GW would serve 25% of global electricity demand by 2050.•Transcontinental grid connectivity would allow countries to trade electricity and optimize the energy surpluses and deficits across the region based on future forecasts.•For a sustainable energy future, unleashing the massive potential of solar PV can facilitate to achieve SDG-7 and climate targets by 2050 without raising expected electricity prices.