Energy Utilization and Global Economic and Social Development

Abstract

The global economic and social development is facing more and more challenges such as climate change, energy security, and environmental pollutions. Renewable energy is one of the most effective tools that we have in the fight against these problems. Wind energy and solar energy have experienced remarkable growth and huge cost improvements over the past decade with no signs of slowing down. Prices are declining rapidly, and renewable energy is becoming increasingly competitive with fossil fuels all around the world. The growing renewable energy will largely accelerate the transition of our energy system and benefit the whole society. This chapter outlines the current key problems regarding global sustainable development and then introduces the actions that have taken to address these problems over the world. It shows developing wind energy along with other renewable energy will be one of the main strategies in coping with these challenges, and the Chinese government has made a master plan for a future with high penetration of wind power.