Since COVID-19, global energy demand has increased by 5% as the economy is recovering. This increase in electricity demand is equivalent to adding a new India to the world's electrical grid. As demand for renewable energy has grown, many countries have expanded their renewable source options. According to new research from Ember, wind and solar generated 10% of global electricity for the first time in 2021, and clean sources generated 38% of global energy, marking a significant milestone for the renewable and clean energy sectors.

According to Ember's report, more than 50 countries generate more than 10% of their electricity from wind and solar. Vietnam, Australia, and the Netherlands are the countries with the fastest adoption rates. Three countries have even generated more than 40% of their electricity from wind and solar. These countries include Denmark (52%), Luxembourg (43%), and Uruguay (47%). Wind and solar electricity generation nearly doubled from 4.6% in 2015, when the Paris Climate Agreement was signed, to 10.3% in 2021. Clean sources, including nuclear, hydro, wind, and solar, accounted for 38% of global electricity generation, which is higher than the 36% generated by coal.

Coal power increased by 9% in 2021, 2% higher than anticipated. This is the highest percentage increase since 1985, and coal now accounts for 36% of total global electricity generation. China accounts for approximately 54% of the total 36% generated by coal on a global scale. The rise in coal can be attributed to countries with higher-than-usual electricity demand where clean energy has been slow to take hold.

While significant progress has been made, there are still obstacles to overcome in adopting clean energy. Renewable energy necessitates active electrical power storage, especially when external natural sources influence it. New energy storage solutions are focused on improving grid capabilities. Many companies, such as FlexGen Power Systems and EnerVenue, are attempting to overcome the challenges associated with renewable energy storage. FlexGen uses microgrid energy storage units that are managed by sophisticated software. The management software releases and stores energy depending on relative energy demand and during peak hours. EnerVenue uses nickel-hydrogen batteries, which are less expensive than lithium-ion batteries and store energy in high temperatures. Lithium batteries have been seeing a rise in cost due to the limited supply of lithium. While heavier than lithium-ion batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries have the advantage of being employed in residential and commercial structures and macro-grid storage systems. These solutions offer great possibilities for power storage and grid management challenges.

Wind and solar are now more important than ever, providing solutions to various global problems. Whether it's climate change, reliance on limited resources, or the rapid rise in global energy costs, wind and solar provide immediate solutions to these problems while also contributing to our global economy's rapid growth.