Global electricity demand, generation, grid system, and renewable energy polices: a review

The rising concerns on the impacts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming have forced the world to search for alternative clean and green energy resources. Renewable energy is one of the most sustainable forms of energy, and is an increasingly popular replacement to fossil fuels. In line with this, the world has witnessed tremendous growth in renewable energy technologies as well as unprecedented adoption of renewable‐based electricity generation in the past few decades. This review paper focuses on the global energy demand, power generation, electricity production, electrical grid system as well as current global polices to move forward for renewable energy‐based power generation. This work compiles the latest literature (i.e., journal articles, conference proceedings, reports, etc.) on global energy demand, power generation, electrical grid system as well as current global polices related to renewable energy. From the review, it is found that renewable energy is one of the potential resources to fulfill the future energy demand with mitigating GHG emissions and global warming. It is also found that many polices has been implementing globally to promote renewable energy‐based power generation. WIREs Energy Environ 2017, 6:e222. doi: 10.1002/wene.222 This article is categorized under: Energy Infrastructure > Climate and Environment Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy