Technological and economic development outlook for renewable energy sources for electricity generation

Renewable energy sources are potentially capable of providing a significant fraction of world energy needs in the 21st Century. Among other reasons (security of supply, regional development, etc.), the development of renewable energies is desirable for its positive environmental impact, in particular in the area of global warming. Since renewable energy resources are well distributed over the whole Earth, they offer the possibility of a global response to global change. In parallel with hydropower, which already has made a significant contribution in the electricity production of many countries, wind energy, photovoltaics, biomass, tidal and wave power can be used for large-scale electricity production in the future. The progressive introduction of renewable energies into the future energy market requires that they be economically competitive. 10 refs, 1 fig., 2 tabs