Stanford – Plans to electrify all energy sectors in 139 countries with wind, water and sunlight have been published by a research team from Stanford University. The blueprint shows the potential for clean and renewable energy to satisfy all demand in the EU28 and beyond within the next 25 years.
In the 2050 scenario, solar power would dominate the energy mix, providing 58% of total capacity, complemented by wind (37%) and water sources (wave/geothermal/hydroelectric/tidal). The study predicts that overall demand would be reduced by 42% in the sectors covered (transportation, heating/cooling, industry, agriculture/forestry/fishing) due to efficiency savings.
Fully implementing the roadmaps would avoid 1.5°C global warming and millions of deaths from air pollution. 24 million new long-term jobs would be created.
The plans are “economically and technically feasible”, the authors claim, while admitting they are “far more aggressive than what the Paris Agreement calls for”.
The roadmaps envision 80% conversion to clean energy by 2030. A new EU wide target for renewables is currently under discussion, with the European Commission and countries at the EU Council both favouring a 27% goal for 2030.
Read the study in full here.