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The worldwide potential of electric power from tidal currents is potentially between 100 and 120 GW. The technology uses the ebb and flow currents off coasts to drive submerged turbines. The high load factor and the predictable resource characteristics make tidal energy an attractive, reliable power source. The technology is advancing rapidly towards maturity; several projects have now reached a relatively mature stage and are close to completion, but challenges remain. Topics for ongoing research include hydrodynamics and turbine design, as well as the power conversion interface (including the electric generator), control, and monitoring and maintenance challenges.

The rising share of photovoltaic (PV) energy requires sophisticated digital techniques for control, monitoring and integration with the grid. In remote areas, where no trained personnel might be nearby to intervene, such technologies are vital to ensure reliability and power quality, and to harness the solar potential of these locations. Moreover, tracking is necessary for moveable systems. Digital technologies can be used to enable and augment the use of PV energy in the grid, as well as for desalination, water pumping and hydrolysis.

Renewable energy is key to stopping climate change, however, the intermittent nature of most forms of renewable energy generation poses a challenge. Energy storage is therefore a focus of research and development, particularly for urban areas with their limited space and high population density, which results in massive demand for both small distributed and utility-scale generation. Such locations require thorough integration of storage, with the urban energy system treated as a whole, and sufficient planning, sizing and siting, and upgrades to the existing power grid hardware.

Throughout the world there is concern over the impact of energy use on the environment (particularly CO₂ emissions) and also over the security of fossil fuel supplies. Consequently, governments and energy planners are actively encouraging alternative and cleaner forms of energy production such as renewables (e.g. wind, solar, biomass) and combined heat and power (CHP).

Small wind turbines can contribute substantially to both a low-carbon energy system, as well as to the autarky and resilience of rural or remote communities and facilities. They can be deployed on building roofs as well as on the ground, and are a useful complement to photovoltaic systems, because they can generate power overnight or in cloudy weather. A range of technologies and designs are available, and suitability depends on the situation, so systematic modelling combined with collection of experience are necessary in making successful, efficient and cost-effective selection decisions.