Transitioning to a 100% Renewable Power Grid: Key Challenges and Opportunities

Limiting global warming to below 1.5<sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">∘</sup>C necessitates a global shift toward renewable energy sources (RESs). However, transitioning to a fully RES-based power system presents challenges related to technical feasibility, socio-political implications, economic factors, and geographical differences. This study examines the feasibility of such a transition from multiple dimensions, including the technical integration and stability of RES technologies, social acceptance, political landscape (policy design and regulatory frameworks), and geographical factors such as resource availability and regional demand. A systematic literature review, combined with a case study of the Integrated Nordic Power System (INPS), provides insights into these challenges. INPS is selected for its complexity and its representation of a large-scale, multi-country power system. The findings highlight the key role of region-specific strategies, stakeholder engagement, and strong policy and regulatory support in enabling successful renewable energy transitions. The INPS case study demonstrates how regional cooperation can help address geographical and political disparities, offering valuable lessons for global applications. Despite the challenges, transitioning to a fully RES-based power system presents significant benefits, including environmental sustainability, socioeconomic development, and long-term cost reductions. Achieving this transition requires substantial investment, technological advancements, strategic management, and global collaboration, highlighting the necessity of long-term political commitment and stakeholder consensus.