Energy Program Research Articles

Design, modeling and cost analysis of 8.79 MW solar photovoltaic power plant at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan

Climate change, as a critical global concern, has fueled our efforts to address it through different strategies. In response to the critical worldwide issue of climate change, we suggested a Photovoltaic (PV) system at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad, Pakistan (latitude: 33.724530 N, longitude: 73.046869, terrain elevation: 552 m). Islamabad is located in a region blessed with enormous solar resources, boasting a daily horizontal solar irradiance of 1503.45 kWh/m2 and an average daily solar irradiance of 5.89 kWh/m2, with an exceptional solar fraction of 98.99%. The ambient air temperature, averaging 23.21 °C, reaches its maximum in June and its minimum in December. Our research thoroughly evaluates the system’s performance, accounting for various losses and utilizing modern PVsyst software. Over the course of 18 years, our PV system is expected to save 75,478.60 tons of CO2, the equivalent of planting 348,754 teak trees. Furthermore, the cost of energy generation is an affordable 0.0141 US $/kWh, much lower than traditional rates, including the Sherif cost of 0.028$/kWh. Along with the performance research, we conducted a detailed cost analysis, projecting the starting cost and cash flow, and discovered that the plant would be in surplus within 12 years of installation. Our system is positioned to generate 11,270,771 kWh/year with a respectable performance ratio (PR) of 76.2% and a Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of 16%. Our findings not only highlight the potential of renewable energy but also provide important insights for future sustainable energy programs.

Determinants of Small and Rural Local Governments’ Renewable Energy Program Adoption in Cascadia

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the determinants of renewable energy policy adoption by small and rural local governments in Cascadia. Background: Small and rural local governments currently face many ongoing and numerous new challenges that complicate their task of sustaining current public services and programs. How government officials adapt to these changes can affect the long-term viability of local governments in both the U.S. and Canadian contexts. Objective: This study has examined the presence or absence of renewable energy programs in small and rural local governments in the “Cascadia” region of Canada and the U.S. (British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington). Methods: Using surveys and interviews of Cascadia local government leaders during the summer and fall of 2023, correlates of renewable energy policy adoption have been examined, including cultural, demographic, economic, and political factors. Results: Key findings have indicated cities, experiencing population growth, and those with a progressive political orientation to be more inclined to adopt renewable energy policies. Conversely, remote communities have demonstrated a lower propensity for such adoption. Financial constraints, evidenced by the impact of inflation and the necessity for service cutbacks, have been found to negatively correlate with the consideration of renewable energy policies. Conclusion: This study has indicated renewable energy projects to be more often found or contemplated in areas being politically liberal, densely populated, and not predominantly rural. It could be beneficial in shifting the perception of renewable energy from being predominantly an environmental concern to being recognized for its economic benefits.

Assessing the achievement of sustainable development in the Maghreb countries

Aim. Comparative analysis of the progress of achieving sustainable development by Maghreb countries (among them Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania) according to the indices developed by international organizations and scientific institutions, as well as ranking the countries according to the level of sustainable development in the region.Objectives. To analyze the regulatory framework governing sustainable development in the Maghreb countries; to assess the level of sustainable development of the countries under consideration according to international environmental, social and economic indices in 2018–2023; to apply a universal methodology for assessing sustainable development based on basic statistical data of each country; to identify common achievements and unique challenges faced by countries in the process of implementing sustainable development programs.Methods. The analysis is based on the comparison of statistical data, publications and reports of international organizations on the success of the implementation of sustainable development programs in the Maghreb countries. Comparative and analytical approaches to assessing the level of sustainable development were applied, and attention was paid to factors affecting successes and obstacles to achieving sustainable development.Results. Maghreb countries are at different levels of sustainable development. The article traces the differences in the countries’ strategies for implementing national sustainable development programs. The analysis of the level of sustainable development in Maghreb countries showed that Morocco has the highest position. Libya has the lowest level of sustainable development. The poverty rate in the region is decreasing, although in Libya, it remains high. Countries are showing progress in renewable energy development, with Morocco in particular implementing solar energy programs. Despite the successes, the countries face significant challenges. Inequality in access to resources and income, along with high unemployment, especially among youth, remains a pressing problem in the region. Political instability in Libya, non-cooperation between Morocco and Algeria hinder economic development and the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.Conclusions. Regular monitoring of the level of sustainable development in the Maghreb countries, as well as timely adjustment of actions, serves as a necessary step to achieve prosperity and well-being in the region. Despite many challenges, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania have great potential for sustainable development. However, realizing the Aim. requires considerable effort, political will and effective cooperation, both within the region and internationally. It is necessary to continue to invest in development, strengthen regional cooperation and utilize innovative technologies to achieve a sustainable future.

Benefits of Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs and Securitization of Property Assessed Clean Energy Loans

Benefits of Property Assessed Clean Energy Programs and Securitization of Property Assessed Clean Energy Loans

Additional revenues estimation in a market-based redispatch: An opportunity for flexibility

The technical constraints in the transmission networks are exerting significant strain on the functioning of electricity markets as the share of variable renewable energy sources is increasing. To manage this issue, the transition to a nodal pricing market has been proposed in the literature. Given that the current structure of the European Union electricity market corresponds to a zonal pricing, the transition to nodal pricing would imply fundamental changes in its market structure. In order to avoid the latter, this study develops a method to identify locational price signals in a decentralized market with zonal pricing and subsequent market-based redispatch. To this end, first, nodes with structural technical constraints are identified –using energy programmes–. Then, the additional revenues of physical units located at these nodes are estimated –using electricity prices–. Finally, this strategic information will guide the development of flexibility solutions –manageable generation capacity and demand response– in these geographic locations, mimicking the main advantage of nodal pricing. Our methodology has been empirically tested on the Spanish power system, using hourly data from the System Operator and Market Operator for four full years, from 2019 to 2022. The results show a higher and constant economic revenue in certain nodes of this system –upward redispatch price is 74.90% higher than day-ahead market price–. Thus, this method can be used by market participants to evaluate publicly available data from a decentralized market with zonal pricing and subsequent market-based redispatch, and obtain essential information to make the best investment decisions.

Analysing the Performance of Large-Scale Rooftop Solar PV System Using Helioscope, PVsyst and PV*SOL Photovoltaic Simulation Software: As a Renewable Energy Strategy

In Malaysia, government initiatives and policymakers play significant role in creating effective strategies aiming at enhancing the usage of residential, industrial and commercial solar PV systems. However, the most significant barrier to the widespread adoption of photovoltaic (PV) systems is their high installation costs; as a result, numerous studies on PV system modification are now being conducted. Several simulation tools are available for the efficient and extensive integration of solar energy. To predict energy output using climate data and assess performance ration in accordance, such software can be optimized in terms of parameters like PV module number, inverter, tilt angle, and module design structure. The accuracy of these figures fluctuates, though, because climate factors affect how productive photovoltaic systems are. In this current paper, the simulation and design of a 6.9 MW solar power plant in University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, have been investigated using three popular software PVsyst v5.06, Helioscope and PV*SOL. This study's main objective is to assess the potential of solar renewable energy sources to produce electrical energy under the Supply Agreement of Renewable Energy (SARE) program using flexible solar system design modelling tools, PVsyst, Helioscope, and PV *SOL. The comparison results showed that Helioscope and PVsyst are considered to be the most dependable software. PVsyst appraised the definite energy production cost with lowermost relative error of 0.12 % and Helioscope estimated performance ratio with lowest relative error of 4.74%. In terms of energy losses, environmental element contributing to the most energy losses where PVsyst recorded 11.1% photovoltaic (PV) loss caused by irradiation and temperature changes. Whereby Helioscope clearly shows that environmental power loss of 8.4% represents the largest portion caused by irradiation and temperature changes. PV*SOL recorded an energy loss of 7.3% due to shading, temperature and reflection on module interface.

Design Micro-Hydro Power Plant Water Resources System for Small Medium Enterprise Rice Mill in Nagari Kamang Hilia Agam

Processing rice products into rice requires further processing, where the grain harvested from farmers is processed into rice. The Nagari Binaan Community Service team from Padang State University will later develop this process. Farmer groups say that the availability of continuous and cheap electricity is their obstacle in producing good and cheap rice products. Counseling and assistance in making civil buildings capture turbulence water micro-hydro power plants is a solution to partner problems offered by the community service team of the Nagari program assisted by Padang State University. The output of the Nagari Fostered Program will be used to build a 5000-watt capacity power plant, supporting the need for free and environmentally friendly electricity. This aligns with the government's renewable energy program for 2030, which aims to produce 25% of the national electricity from renewable sources. This program is planned for 3 (three) stages, where the first year is mapping and detailed engineering design in the form of reports and design drawings. The second year is in the form of civil construction, and the third year's target is the installation of electrical machines and panels for commissioning. There will be training for partners, such as farmers in Kanagarian Kamang Hilia, Agam.

Educational paradigm shift: assessing the prospects of a master's course in green energy transition

This study examines the integration of emerging engineering technologies into STEM education with a focus on the green energy transition. Using a mixed-methods approach, including an international student survey conducted via Google Forms, the research identifies key factors influencing the demand for an innovative Master's program in Green Energy. Quantitative analysis through JASP software reveals a significant positive correlation between student interest in renewable energy related MSc courses and the perception of improved job opportunities in the green energy sector. Furthermore, the survey results indicate that students prioritize the inclusion of Mechanical, Electrical, and IT skills in the curriculum. Qualitative feedback highlights the critical need for practical skills in new research areas such as nanotechnology, quantum chemistry, Carbon capture, and Solar/Wind-based energy sources to meet the evolving demands of the green energy industry. These findings suggest that academic programs must be restructured to align more closely with the skills required for sustainable energy systems, thereby bridging the gap between academic preparation and market readiness.

Gamma ray shielding ability of Y3+ doped borophosphate glasses

Abstract Four selected Y2O3 doped borophosphate glass samples are prepared using melt quench technique. The structural properties such as density and molar volume are measured. The density (ρ) increases from 3.1384 to 3.4613 g/cm3 whereas molar volume (Vm) decreases from 60.84 to 55.00 cm3 mol−1 with addition of Y2O3 cm3 mol−1 content. The lattice of the glasses has been tested via X-ray diffraction which is a good technique for confirming the structural properties of these glasses and FTIR spectra. In addition, radiation shielding parameters for glasses were performed theoretically utilizing XCOM program for various gamma ray energy and experimentally using NaI(Ti) scintillation detector, The glasses were irradiated using energies 0.664, 1.174 and 1.334 MeV emitted by Cs-137 and Co-60 radioactive point sources respectively. Shielding parameters as leaner (μ), mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) and half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL) and mean free path (MFP). The concentration of Y2O3 increases the (μ/ρ) increases, the HVL, TVL, and MFP values have inverse way. Superior radiation shielding is confirmed by the glass sample containing (3%, mole) of yttrium oxide. The results show that the borophosphate glasses doped with Y2O3 can be used to shield gamma rays.

The politics of percentage: Informating justice in the US clean energy rush

Within days of taking office in January 2021, President Biden signed an executive order establishing the Justice40 initiative, which directed federal agencies to ensure that at least 40% of the benefits of federal investments flow to historically marginalized communities. This article traces how Justice40, as interpreted and enacted by government bureaucrats, academics, industry researchers, and activists, intervenes in the governance of the energy transition it seeks to put into motion. Drawing from ongoing critical participation in energy research and development arenas and taking inspiration from Kim Fortun’s notion of the “informating of environmentalism,” this article argues that Justice40 can be understood as an attempt to informate justice, rendering it into problems that can be understood, manipulated, and audited through information systems. Scrambling to manage their accountabilities to the executive branch, Congress, and the American taxpayers footing the bill for massive infrastructure investments, Department of Energy programs are rolling out intricate systems of quantification, whose objectives of commensurability obscure local conceptions and prioritizations of justice. While Justice40 articulates lofty goals of energy transition enhancing the wellbeing of people who have otherwise been harmed by or excluded from the country’s existing energy infrastructure, its everyday practice has the ironic effect of undermining both epistemic and procedural justice.

FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC PROSPECTS FOR CREATING GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS IN THE UKRAINE-POLAND COLLABORATION

This paper examines the economic and financial advantages of improving international collaboration between Ukraine and Poland in the development of alternative energy projects. It conducts a thorough evaluation of existing and forthcoming renewable energy generation technologies, using expert, Delphi, and methods based on statistics to identify the most promising and universally applicable solutions. The calculation of the payback period for small-scale green energy projects pays particular attention to the actual duration of the period in the case of small business ventures. The findings are summarized with a vision for the future Ukrainian-Polish cooperation in the scope of green energy cooperation and specific instruments and processes that could contribute to the success of the collaboration.The article outlines the potential approach that involves the isolation of the cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in green energy relying on the creation of investment and venture funds, public support for the manufacturing of a renewable energy component, and the establishment of non-volatile industrial complexes. Additionally, measures such as independent small alternative power plants and the initiatives for the development of the Ukrainian-Polish joint network of alternative energy are mentioned.The current war between Ukraine and Russia has drawn attention to the crucial need for energy security and diversification, making Ukraine-Poland collaboration on green energy projects all the more important. Ukraine may minimize its reliance on the Russian energy supply by focusing on renewable energy programs, while Poland can invest in sustainable energy to boost regional stability and economic progress. The article points out that the continuation and advancement of green energy initiatives require international cooperation. The paper offers detailed guidance on how the financial, economic, and technological opportunities and relations between Ukraine and Poland may be enhanced.

The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) in context: UK public sector approach to fusion energy.

The UK's fusion energy approach has developed over the past 5 years to include government policy initiatives and a range of public sector investments designed to be delivered in partnership with the private sector. These have aimed to create an environment that stimulates innovation and investment to deliver economic as well as scientific and environmental benefits throughout the lifetime of the public sector fusion energy programme. The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production acts as a focus and anchor for both public and private sector efforts to develop fusion energy, developing the supply chain and potential for Intellectual Property development and export opportunities well ahead of the anticipated STEP completion date of 2040. This is maximized by the UK's approach to a holistic research and innovation programme backed up by a regulatory and skills programme. This article is part of the theme issue 'Delivering Fusion Energy - The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP)'.

Model Pemberdayaan Berbasis Pemanfaatan Sumberdaya Alam Berkelanjutan: Studi pada Program Energi Terbarukan di Kabupaten Jombang

The concept of economic development that is based on villages so far still causes debate. Supporting arguments say that village empowerment is the key to the success of inclusive economic development. The aim is to create sustainable economic development based on creating high economic value. Based on this, the main objective of this research is to examine how much impact the new and renewable energy program in Jombang has had on the empowerment of rural communities. Based on the Cluster Analysis method, the new and renewable energy program is proven to have implications for the empowerment of rural communities as indicated through two things, namely: (i) an increase in income especially the poor; and (ii) local communities are able to develop village development planning and implementation. This proves that the new and renewable energy program has been able to realize the independence of the village. Therefore, this program is expected to be a proliferation of empowerment models that are based on sustainable use of natural resources.

Perspectives on 40‐year careers—University of Calgary Chemical & Petroleum Engineering graduating class of 1983

AbstractOnly a few of the students who graduated from Chemical & Petroleum Engineering at the University of Calgary found jobs in 1983 because of a severe recession and the National Energy Program artifically deflating the oil price. Despite the slow start to their careers, the graduates have made substantial contributions to industry, government agencies, and academia. They worked on over 60 projects in more than 40 countries, many of which were valued in the billions of dollars (excluding projects in Canada). Because of the volatility in the petroleum industry, the graduates often moved from one company to another: 6 individuals worked for 10 or more companies, while only 2 spent their entire career at a single company. In 1981, we were told that the half‐life of an engineering career was 5 years, but while many did take up senior management positions and business roles, most remained very close to the engineering profession throughout their careers. Here, we summarize the career paths in broad terms, like how frequently graduates changed jobs, how much time they averaged in each company, and mention the role of education in their work. Of the 60 students who graduated in 1983, this perspective article excludes seven engineers who passed away prematurely, and another seven who could not be reached.

Development of a 4-in-1 Device to Measure Component Properties of Gas Diffusion Layer/Porous Transport Layer for Both Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell and Water Electrolyzer

This work aims at developing a 4-in-1 device to simultaneously measure parameters under compression (UC), including thickness (TUC), resistivity (RUC, through-plane), and in-plane permeability (IPP-UC), and to separately measure through-plane permeability (TPP). The simultaneous measurement of TUC/RUC/IPP-UC is accomplished through an annulus sample by measuring the flow rate–pressure relationship in a radial flow [1]. By adding a two-piece adaptor, TPP can also be measured using a disk sample. Typical TUC/RUC/IPP-UC/TPP curves of a gas diffusion layer (GDL) are shown in Figure 1. Upon the design requirements, the TUC/RUC/IPP-UC/TPP tester is calibrated and validated.The 4-in-1 device was originally designed for the characterization of the GDL, a key component of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. The GDL properties are greatly associated with the cell performance, especially under compression. To ensure the quality of GDLs, it is of great importance to characterize GDL properties with respect to the component standardization and specification. The application of the 4-in-1 device was later extended for the characterization of the porous transport layer (PTL), a crucial component for the anode of PEM water electrolyzer in responding to the increased research and efforts made in the development of, mostly, Ti-based PTLs for PEM water electrolysis [2]-[4] , as commercially available PTLs are basically materials borrowed from other applications, e.g., filtration.The developed TUC/RUC/IPP-UC/TPP device has been proven to be a useful tool for the quality control (QC) of GDLs and PTLs, facilitating the component development, complementing the component supply chain, contributing to cell reliability, and thus reduction of cost, for both the PEM fuel cell and PEM water electrolysis technologies. Acknowledgements This work is financially supported by the Office of Energy Research and Development (OERD) and the Advanced Clean Energy (ACE) Program of the National Research Council Canada (project #NRC-23-140).

Theoretical Study on the Dynamics of Lithium-Ion Transport in PPS-Based Polymer Electrolytes

The development of solid-state lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a key advancement in energy storage technology. Solid electrolytes are important in this development because they are safer and more stable than liquid electrolytes, and they have higher energy density. Among the various types of solid electrolytes, Polyphenylene Sulfide (PPS)-based solid-state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) are notable for their ability to conduct ions as well as liquid electrolytes across a wide range of temperatures. This ability is particularly important because other solid polymer electrolytes, like those based on polyethylene oxide (PEO), struggle with ion conduction at different temperatures. PPS-based SPEs are different because their ion transport does not depend on the movement of the polymer chains, which means their ion conduction remains steady from high to low temperatures.The previous study conducted a series of first-principle calculations, revealing that the introduction of neutral molecules, referred to as agent molecules, can significantly enhance the movement of lithium ions within a solid matrix when these are mixed with lithium salts. This is because the intermolecular interactions within a binary system comprising an agent molecule and lithium salt are governed by a strong bond formation between lithium and oxygen atoms. When these agent molecules are introduced, they replace the anionic species around lithium in the salts, leading to a weakened Coulomb force between lithium and oxygen. This reduction is essential for rapid lithium-ion movement through the easy separation of lithium salts and the subsequent generation of ion-hopping sites characterized as lithium-free oxygen cages. According to the previous study, the strategic selection of neutral molecules with functional groups that bolster chemical resonance is imperative. Such molecules have been identified as promising candidates for agent molecules.Our study builds upon previous research by directly incorporating PPS polymers into our computational simulations. We utilized molecular dynamics and quantum mechanics to examine the role of neutral molecules in PPS in facilitating lithium-ion mobility. We parameterized our system with quantum mechanics calculations, which were crucial in informing our molecular dynamics simulations. Using VASP program for interaction assessment and LAMMPS program for energy and structure analysis, we refined our models to understand the interactions between PPS polymers, Li+ ions, TFSI- ions, and Chloranil molecules. Our simulations explored the structural dynamics and the effects of fillers and PPS polymer layers on ion transport.Our work enhances the basic understanding of SPEs and helps in the creation of new lithium-ion batteries that perform better and are safer. We've pinpointed important factors that control how lithium ions move in PPS-based electrolytes, laying the groundwork for future improvements in solid-state electrolytes and leading to lithium-ion batteries that are more effective and safer.Reference:[1] Jiwon Yu, Myungsuk Lee, Yeonseo Kim, Hyung-Kyu Lim, Jonghyun Chae, Gyeong S. Hwang, Sangheon Lee, “Agent molecule modulated low-temperature activation of solid-state lithium-ion transport for polymer electrolytes”, Journal of Power Sources 505, 229917 (2021).

Together, taking the next step: using system dynamics modelling to build community renewable energy programmes in Aotearoa New Zealand

ABSTRACT The Aotearoa New Zealand electricity sector is undergoing a transition to more distributed electricity generation, largely driven by the private sector. Local actors, however, are increasingly interested in playing a role in the energy transition, and addressing their resilience, with community renewable energy (CRE). These projects often have a wide range of impacts, dependent on the community’s motivations, as well as the design and operation of the project. However, there is a lack of tools that can accurately quantify the impacts derived from CRE projects, and guide communities to build a portfolio of projects. This study used system dynamics modelling to analyse the impacts of CRE projects over a 40-year time span. The Energise Ōtaki community group in Aotearoa New Zealand was used as a case study given their already established CRE project and goals to expand their project portfolio. The system dynamics model showed if the community reinvested 80% of the profits from the first project into a second project would provide the greatest long-term benefit for the community in terms of the impact areas important to them. System dynamics modelling proved a useful tool in evaluating the wide range of impacts, and how they interact.

Optimal planning and partitioning of multiple distribution Micro-Grids based on reliability evaluation.

Power system researcher have turned to Micro-Grids (MG) for higher reliability, greater flexibility, lower operating costs and losses, and lower CO2 emissions at the distribution system. This paper presents a single-level stochastic optimization framework for planning and partitioning of a distribution system including Multiple Micro-Grids (MMGs). The main objective is to minimize the total cost of the system including investment, operation, total losses and reliability costs of the distribution network. The proposed model takes into account the viewpoints of MG owners and distribution system operators, simultaneously. The voltage stability index is introduced to identify the optimal site of MG investment. To deal with uncertainties caused by renewable generations, the Firefly Algorithm (FA) and probability-tree method is used to create various operation scenarios of Photo-Voltaic (PVs) and Wind Turbines (WTs). This model is solved through the genetic algorithm in MATLAB, and to evaluate its effectiveness, numerical studies have been carried out on the experimental IEEE distribution network with four specified locations for investing MGs and seven Tie Switches (TS) for network partitioning. Simulation results reveal that optimal locations for MG investment are determined in such a way all MGs connect to the buses near the beginning of the feeder and as a result, load point reliability is improved, total active power losses are reduced, and the energy program becomes more optimized.

Energy demand and air quality in social housing buildings: A novel critical review

Social housing buildings, throughout Europe, represent a consistent share of the existing building stock. Due to the increasing levels of urbanization, the social housing population in the cities has risen and, after the economic crisis following the subprime mortgage crisis and the pandemic, low-income families as well. The greatest part of social dwellings, those built in the previous century, is usually sub-standard from an energy and environmental point of view. This study reviews the existing literature documenting indoor environmental conditions and energy refurbishment interventions or programs to improve the energy efficiency of existing social buildings. By considering the high risk of energy poverty in social contexts, and the socio-economic conditions of tenants, the economic implications deriving from the energy retrofit were also evidenced. Relevant papers published between 2010 and 2024 were reviewed and were divided according to the reference scale, namely the building or the district scale. The review shows the need to improve the energy performances of social dwellings, both to reduce their energy demand and to improve the indoor microclimatic conditions and quality of life of tenants. Through a critical literature review approach, this study provides a contribution to the in-depth understanding of the role of social housing in the contemporary context, providing meaningful insights for formulating more effective and inclusive housing policies for the next future.

Systemic factors in modern renewable energy development across national income categories

The need for a more sustainable environment with reduced carbon emissions to preserve our climate necessitates increasing the renewable mix of total electric power generation. To achieve the goals set in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, various stakeholders including governments, investors, end-users, etc. need to duly play their part. However, there is still a need for a greater understanding of the systemic factors at local and global levels amongst the various stakeholders to better realize this objective. Some countries are already meeting their targets while others lag. This review article presents the key systemic factors influencing the success of renewable energy programs across national income categories. It discusses systems factors, national economies, energy capacities, and social effects, and examines the impact of policy instruments and targets on renewable energy deployment. The importance of national governments’ commitment to local targets is highlighted, along with the effects of policy development, planning, technologies, supply chains, etc.