Pathways to Clean and Affordable Energy: Innovations, Policies, and Socio-Economic Impact
S. SRIVASTAVA, S. YADAV, S. JASWAL, M. PARMAR, M. PREET KAUR, M. SHAMEEN
Abstract: The global energy landscape has totally transformed with enhanced power usage resulting from industry, urbanization, and population increase. The use of fossil fuels is a key driver of greenhouse gas emissions, which in turn lead to climatic change & environmental degradation. Renewables are very much sought after, but hurdles such as their excessive cost, variability, and inadequate infrastructure stop them from being used on a large scale. Since most locations do not have cheap or stable energy sources, economic inequalities are enabled. New technologies for low-cost, clean energy are explored in this research, such as ongoing innovations in hydropower, wind energy, solar energy, and biofuel technology; low-cost energy storage technologies such as thermal systems and battery; resource-efficient methods; and combined smart grid integration. It considers the social implications of making a transition to clean energy, including economic development and the elimination of energy poverty. The article also talks about the policy, economic, and scientific barriers to mass deployment. It juxtaposes promising and emerging trends and future prospects with highlighting successful renewable energy projects in examples and real-world uses. To enable the transition to sustainable, green energy futures, the study accordingly underscores the pressing need for innovative policies, new, attractive investments, and enhanced partnerships.
Keywords
Energy Affordability, Clean Energy Technology, Renewable Energy Use, Energy Storage Alternatives, Smart Grid Integration
Published online 5/10/2026, 15 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: S. SRIVASTAVA, S. YADAV, S. JASWAL, M. PARMAR, M. PREET KAUR, M. SHAMEEN, Pathways to Clean and Affordable Energy: Innovations, Policies, and Socio-Economic Impact, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 66, pp 140-154, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904152-13
The article was published as article 13 of the book Advanced Materials and Sustainable Energy Technologies
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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