Events currently not included in the timelines include:
goal-codifying
policy about,
commercialization of, adoptions of, deployment-statistics of, announced developments of, announced funding for and dissemination of sustainable energy -technologies and -infrastructure/systems
research about related phase-outs in general – such as about the
fossil fuel phase out
A study provides results of simulations and analysis of "
transactive energy mechanisms to engage the large-scale deployment of flexible distributed energy resources (DERs), such as air conditioners, water heaters, batteries, and electric vehicles, in the operation of the electric power system".[2][3]
Researchers describe a way for "inherently robust, scalable method of integration using multiple energy storage systems and distributed energy resources, which does not require any means of dedicated communication improvised controls", which could make microgrids easy and low cost "where they are needed most" such as during a power outage or
after a disaster.[5][6]
6 March – Scientists show that adding a layer of
perovskite crystals on top of textured or planar silicon to create a
tandem solar cell enhances its performance up to a power conversion efficiency of 26%. This could be a low cost way to increase efficiency of
solar cells.[9][10]
13 July – The first global assessment into promising approaches of solar photovoltaic modules recycling is published. Scientists recommend "research and development to reduce recycling costs and environmental impacts compared to disposal while maximizing material recovery" as well as facilitation and use of techno–economic analyses.[11][12]
3 July – Scientists show that adding an organic-based ionic solid into
perovskites can result in substantial improvement in
solar cell performance and stability. The study also reveals a complex degradation route that is responsible for failures in aged
perovskite solar cells. The understanding could help the future development of
photovoltaic technologies with industrially relevant longevity.[13][14][importance?]
2021
12 April – Scientists develop a prototype and
design rules for both-sides-contacted
siliconsolar cells with conversion efficiencies of 26% and above, Earth's highest for this type of solar cell.[15][16][importance?]
21 May – The first industrial commercial production line of perovskite solar panels, using an inkjet printing procedure, is launched in Poland.[19]
13 December – Researchers report the development of a database and analysis tool about
perovskite solar cells which systematically integrates over 15,000 publications, in particular device-data about over 42,400 of such photovoltaic devices.[20][21]
16 December – ML System from
Jasionka, Poland, opens first quantum glass production line. The factory started the production of windows integrating a transparent quantum-dots layer that can produce electricity while also capable of cooling buildings.[22][importance?]
2022
30 May - A team at
Fraunhofer ISE led by Frank Dimroth developed a 4-junction solar cell with an efficiency of 47.6% - a new world record for solar energy conversion.[23][importance?]
13 July – Researchers report the development of
semitransparent solar cells that are as large as windows,[24] after team members achieved record efficiency with high transparency in 2020.[25][26] On 4 July, researchers report the fabrication of solar cells with a record average visible transparency of 79%, being nearly invisible.[27][28]
12 March – Scientists demonstrate the first monolithically integrated tandem solar cell using
selenium as the photoabsorbing layer in the top cell, and
silicon as the photoabsorbing layer in the bottom cell.[32]
Caltech reports the first successful beaming of
solar energy from space down to a receiver on the ground, via the MAPLE instrument on its SSPD-1 spacecraft, launched into orbit in January.[44][45]
A study concludes that deploying floating solar panels on existing
hydro reservoirs could generate 16%–40% (4,251 to 10,616 TWh/year) of global energy needs when not considering project-siting constraints, local development regulations, "economic or market potential" and potential future technology improvements.[46][47]
2022
Researchers develop floating
artificial leaves for light-driven
hydrogen and
syngas fuel production. The lightweight, flexible perovskite devices are scalable and can float on water similar to lotus leaves.[48][49]
2023
An analysis concludes there is large potential (~9,400 TWh/yr) for
floating solar photovoltaics on reservoirs,[50][51] at the upper range of the prior 2020 study (see above).
Agrivoltaics
2021 – An improved
agrivoltaic system with a grooved glass plate is demonstrated.[52][53]
2021 – A report reviews several studies[54][55] about the potential of agrivoltaics, which partly suggest "high potential of agrivoltaics as a viable and efficient technology" and outline concerns for refinements to the technology.[56]
2022 – Researchers report the development of
greenhouses (or
solar modules) by a startup that generate electricity from a portion of the spectrum of sunlight, allowing spectra
that interior plants use to pass through.[57][58]
2023 – Demonstration of another
agrivoltaicgreenhouse which outperforms a conventional glass-roof greenhouse.[59][60]
A study using simulations finds that large scale
vertical-axis wind turbines could outcompete conventional HAWTs (horizontal axis) wind farm turbines.[71][72]
Scientists report that due to decreases in power generation efficiency of wind farms downwind of
offshore wind farms, cross-national limits and potentials for optimization need to be considered in
strategicdecision-making.[73][74]
Researchers report, based on simulations, how large wind-farm performance can be significantly improved using windbreaks.[75][76]
The world's first fully autonomous commercial "airborne wind energy" system (an
airborne wind turbine) is launched by a company.[77]
An U.S. congressionally directed report concludes that "the resource potential of wind energy available to AWE systems is likely similar to that available to traditional wind energy systems" but that "AWE would need significant further development before it could deploy at meaningful scales at the national level".[77]
Researchers increase water electrolysis performance of renewable hydrogen via capillary-fed electrolysis cells.[81][82]
A novel energy-efficient strategy for hydrogen release from liquid hydrogen carriers with the potential to reduce costs of storage and transportation is reported.[83][84]
Chemical engineers report a method to substantially increase conversion efficiency and reduce material costs of
green hydrogen production by using sound waves during
electrolysis.[93][94]
Engineers report the development of a prototype
wave energy converter that is twice as efficient as similar existing experimental technologies, which could be a major step towards practical viability of tapping into the sustainable energy source.[108][109]
A study investigates how
tidal energy could be best integrated into the
Orkneyenergy system.[110] A few days earlier, a
review assesses the potential of tidal energy in the UK's energy systems, finding that it could, according to their considerations that include an economic cost-benefit analysis, deliver 34 TWh/y or 11% of its energy demand.[111][112]
2021 – A company generates its first power from a
gravity battery at a site in Edinburgh.[120] Other gravity batteries are also under construction by other companies.[121]
2022 – A study describes using lifts and empty apartments in tall buildings to store energy, estimating global potential around 30 to 300 GWh.[122][123]
Assembly of
ITER, which has been under construction for years, commences.[124]
The Chinese experimental
nuclear fusion reactor
HL-2M is turned on for the first time, achieving its first plasma discharge.[125]
2021
Record China's
EAST tokamak sets a new world record for superheated plasma, sustaining a temperature of 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds and a peak of 160 million degrees Celsius for 20 seconds.[126]
Record The
National Ignition Facility achieves generating 70% of the input energy, necessary to sustain fusion, from
inertial confinementfusion energy, an 8x improvement over previous experiments in spring 2021 and a 25x increase over the yields achieved in 2018.[127]
The first Fusion Industry Association report was published - "The global fusion industry in 2021"[128]
Record China's
Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), a nuclear fusion reactor research facility, sustained plasma at 70 million degrees Celsius for as long as 1,056 seconds (17 minutes, 36 seconds), achieving the new world record for sustained high temperatures (fusion energy however requires i.a. temperatures over 150 million °C).[129][130][131]
2022
Record The
Joint European Torus in Oxford, UK, reports 59 megajoules produced with nuclear fusion over five seconds (11 megawatts of power), more than double the previous record of 1997.[132][133]
Record United States researchers at
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California has recorded the first case of ignition on August 8, 2021. Producing an energy yield of 0.72, of laser beam input to fusion output.[134][135]
Record Building on the achievement in August 2022, American researchers at
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory National Ignition Facility (NIF) in California recorded the first ever net energy production with nuclear fusion, producing more fusion energy than laser beam put in. Laser efficiency was in the order of 1%.[136]
2023
Record On February 15, 2023,
Wendelstein 7-X reached a new milestone: Power plasma with gigajoule energy turnover generated for eight minutes.[137]
JT-60SA achieves first plasma in October, making it the largest operational superconducting tokamak in the world.[138]
2024
The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (
KSTAR) achieved the new record of 102-sec-long operation (Integrated RMP control for ELM-less H-mode with a notable advancement on the favorable control the error field,[139] Tungsten divertor) with the achieved duration of 48 seconds at the high-temperature of about 100 million degrees Celsius in February 2024, after the last record of 45-sec-long operation (ELM-less H-mode (FIRE mode[140]), Carbon-based divertor, 2022). See
"핵융합 플라스마 장기간 운전기술 확보 청신호, 보도자료, KSTAR연구본부" (in Korean). 20 March 2024. and
"[공식발표] 한국 인공태양 KSTAR 또 해냈다! "1억도○○ 초?"". YouTube (in Korean). (21 March 2024).
Reviews about WHR in the aluminium industry[143] and cement industry[144] are published.
2023
A report by the company
Danfoss estimates EU's excess heat recovery potential, suggesting there is "huge, unharnessed potential" and that action could involve initial mapping of existing waste heat sources.[145]
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 of 'sufficiency' still being materially relatively generous.[156][157][158]
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.[159][160]
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.[161][162][163]
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.[164]
Researchers assess to what extent international law and existing policy support the practice of a proactive knowledge management system that enables systematic addressing of uncertainties about the
environmental effects of seabed mining via regulations that, for example, enable the
International Seabed Authority to actively engage in generating and synthesizing information.[171]
2021
A moratorium on deep-sea mining until rigorous and transparent impact assessments are carried out is enacted at the 2021 world congress of the
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, the effectiveness of the moratorium may be questionable as no enforcement mechanisms have been set up, planned or specified.[172] Researchers have outlined why there is a need to avoid mining the deep sea.[173][174][175][176][177]
Nauru requested the ISA to finalize rules so that The Metals Company be approved to begin work in 2023.[178]
China's COMRA tested its polymetallic nodules collection system at 4,200 feet of depth in the East and South China Seas. The Dayang Yihao was exploring the Clarion-Clipperton Zone for China Minmetals when it crossed into the U.S.
exclusive economic zone near Hawaii, where for five days it looped south of
Honolulu without having requested entry into US waters.[179]
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.[185][186]
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".[187][188] A 2022 study comes to similar conclusions.[189][190]
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".[193][194]
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