Summary
This systematic review synthesises 1067 peer-reviewed articles on 100% renewable energy system analyses, identifying consistent trends in technology selection and modelling approaches. Wind power and solar photovoltaics dominated the reviewed studies (appearing in >99% each), while batteries and e-hydrogen emerged as primary storage technologies. The review found that whilst power-sector analyses are well-represented, comprehensive cross-sectoral analyses remain limited, and most research focuses on greenfield overnight scenarios rather than transition pathways.
Regional applicability
The findings indicate that Europe significantly exceeds other regions in renewable energy system analysis research, suggesting strong UK applicability for benchmarking modelling practices and technology portfolios. However, the review's emphasis on greenfield modelling (77% of studies) rather than transition pathways may limit direct applicability to UK policy contexts requiring assessment of existing infrastructure transformation.
Key measures
Frequency of technology deployment (wind, solar PV, batteries, e-hydrogen, heat pumps, battery electric vehicles); modelling methodologies (optimisation vs. simulation); temporal resolution; sectoral coverage; geographic distribution of research
Outcomes reported
A systematic review of 1067 articles published between 1975–2023 examining energy systems with ≥95% renewable energy, identifying trends in technologies, modelling approaches, and analytical techniques used across power, heat, and transport sectors.
Topic tags
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