Current status and future prospects of renewable and sustainable energy in North America: Progress and challenges

Abstract

Energy is an important drive for the economic development and social growth. The energy demand has remarkably escalated due to technological developments in various governmental, industrial, and municipal activities. In light of such a fast growth, the fuel prices and control of greenhouse gas emission are the leading driving forces for more effective enhancement in the utilization of renewable energy sources. This reflects the importance of mitigation of global energy demands and climate change, which are the most significant factors in the modern days. In this review paper, a detailed overview in the development and evolution of renewable and sustainable energy supply is provided in terms of their types, characteristics and applications, production processes, advantages, and disadvantages. Moreover, the impacts of the renewable energies on health and environment, along with the relevant policies and regulations are discussed. Further, there is a detailed focus on the emerging technologies, and theoretical and practical challenges in the development of renewable energies are analyzed. Particularly, this review provides information on renewable and sustainable energy status and prospects in North America. Central large-scale technology and distributed configuration of the renewable energies might be improved in the North American countries to effectively utilize the renewable energies to produce electricity, biomass-based fuels, and heating in both local/rural and industrial divisions. In addition to employment opportunities stemmed from manufacturing of the renewable energies, its significant impact on the economic development can be enhanced in all three nations through development of the sources.