Currently, lithium-ion batteries are key in the electrification of transportation and the storage of energy from renewable sources. However, their production presents challenges in terms of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. For instance, lithium extraction is not only water-intensive but can also involve the disruption of natural ecosystems. The use of new materials opens up the possibility of producing batteries at a lower cost with a lower environmental impact. Sand, potassium, and sodium are abundant materials on Earth, and their use does not necessarily require other toxic elements, such as cobalt. Although there are emerging ventures or pilot tests, the widespread use of batteries with new materials is not yet a reality, however, the wheels of change are already in motion.

The emergence of solar biopanels is another weak signal that serves as evidence of the incorporation of new functionalities into a well-established renewable energy device, the solar panel. Biopanels not only produce renewable energy but also aid in capturing CO2. The key components of these biopanels are microalgae and carbon nanoparticles. On the one hand, carbon nanoparticles convert solar radiation into heat, which in turn is transformed into energy. Meanwhile, microalgae, through photosynthesis, help to capture CO2 and release oxygen.

At another level of the taxonomy, a cluster of signals reveals a trend towards the expansion of new modes of generation, distribution, and storage of renewable energy. Signals point towards a deepening of a model with multiple generating nodes dispersed across the territory and closer to users. Initial projects show how roads can be transformed into wireless inductive charging systemsfor electric vehicles, as well as how hydrogen can be reduced to a powder preparation easy to store and transport.

High initial costs or difficulties in achieving long-term economic sustainability are a challenge for renewable energy projects. In this sense, we see signals indicating new business models that seek to make renewable energies more affordable. One such model is “Pays-As-You-Go”, which makes it easier for users to pay for the use or purchase of a renewable energy product in periodic installments. For instance, this could be the installation of a solar panel with a smart meter battery, enabling users to enter the code purchased from the provider to access the solar power or days of energy they have paid for.

We also see a commitment to greater integration of renewable energy generation with other economic activities, such as agriculture. This is where agrivoltaics comes in, which refers to a model of solar energy production in which crops, livestock, and beehives can coexist between rows of solar panels. Pilot tests show promising results, benefiting both energy production and agriculture. For instance, panels help to reduce heat stress on crops and livestock, in turn, this reduction in ground temperature can help to increase the efficiency of the panels.