Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 6068: Current Status and Future Prospects of Commercial Wind Power Generation
Energies doi: 10.3390/en18226068
Authors:
Firoz Alam
Yingai Jin
Xingjun Hu
Rising global population, socioeconomic development, industrialisation, lifestyle changes, mobility, and transportation all depend on fossil fuels. This reliance creates environmental pollution, CO2 emissions, depletion of fossil fuel resources, energy insecurity, and increased financial and environmental costs. Renewable energy sources, especially wind, provide a viable alternative to fossil fuels, decreasing reliance on them and mitigating environmental impacts. Despite considerable advances in the use of renewable wind energy for power generation, significant challenges persist in realising the full potential of this promising energy source. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to thoroughly examine global wind power generation, its distribution by region, and the challenges associated with using wind energy, such as issues with the global supply chain, equipment manufacturers, rare earth materials required for wind turbines, and a lack of skilled workforces in the wind energy sector. The major finding and novelty of the study includes a national action plan for wind power generation that encompasses diverse tasks and activities, which can be tailored to the specific requirements of a country. Additionally, the study proposed a classification of countries into six groups based on the availability of specific energy types within their national jurisdictions, aiming for an optimal energy mix to achieve energy security, sustainability, and climate impact mitigation. The other contribution of the study is outlining present difficulties, their origins, and potential solutions that governments, legislators, and other wind power stakeholders encounter while formulating strategies for wind power generation.