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The proliferation of offshore wind farms has been a major factor in the growth of renewable energy . Technological advancements , cost reductions and government incentives have made it more attractive for developers and the development of large-scale wind farms off the coastlines contributes not only to decarbonization but also to job creation and economic growth in coastal regions .
While renewables have grown massively and pushed coal-fired power from around 40 percent to one percent of total energy output in the last decade , their variability and lower capability to hold the grid stable has necessitated a greater reliance on gas generation to provide a dependable backbone for the transition . Gas generation has the twin advantages of being both readily dispatchable and with already available , proven and economically viable technology , and will sustain the transition for a number of years until carbon reduction targets bite and it will need to be replaced .
There are several different technologies that have the potential to grow , including biofuels , hydrogen , carbon capture and storage and Long Duration Energy Storage ( LDES ) that will find powerful and important niches in providing a reliable grid but are unlikely to challenge the domination of wind as the primary source of electricity .
Flexibility
Aside from getting capacity onto the grid , another key aspect of the current changes is creating and controlling flexibility to turn energy sources and infrastructure into the stable , reliable network we expect .
As the share of intermittent renewable energy sources increases , the importance of energy storage solutions has become more pronounced . Advancements in battery technologies have led to the proliferation of energy storage projects , which play a crucial role in stabilizing the grid , enhancing flexibility , and ensuring a reliable power supply . Current levels of 3.5GW are expected to reach 20-to-30GW by 2030 .
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