Renewable energy technologies and innovations

Bożena Gajdzik, Radosław Wolniak and Rafał Nagaj

Chapter 4 in Decarbonizing European Industries, 2026, pp 56-72 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter highlights the recent progress of renewable technologies, focusing mainly on wind and solar energy storage, emerging solutions such as hydrogen fuel cells, and carbon capture and storage (CCS). The discussion is focused on relevant technological breakthroughs, including the increasing size and efficiency of wind turbines, floating farms of wind offshore, AI-aided predictive maintenance, and hybrid farms of wind and solar that all contribute toward better energy efficiency and grid stability. In the case of solar, these include the development of perovskite solar cells, bifacial panels, solar tracking systems, and BIPV—things that have made it much more affordable and accessible. New low-carbon technologies such as hydrogen fuel cells and CCS will be important enablers. This chapter further discusses the contribution of renewable energy with respect to European industries’ economic growth, job creation, and sustainability. It will also help further in industrial electrification, energy security, and lessening the reliance on fossil fuels.

Keywords: Renewable energy technologies; Wind energy; Solar energy; Hydrogen fuel cells; Carbon capture and storage; Decarbonization strategies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035371914
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