THE FUTURE OF POWER ENGINEERING: TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE SOURCES

Electrical engineering is the backbone of modern life. It powers factories, transport, communications, and home appliances. But the old system based on fossil fuels—coal, oil, and gas—has serious problems: resources are running out, and the climate is suffering. That's why the future of electrical engineering is moving more and more towards renewable energy.

Solar, wind, water, and geothermal energy are becoming key areas of development. They offer clean and almost unlimited solutions. Using these sources opens up new opportunities: cutting greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy efficiency, and building a green economy.

Switching to clean energy isn't just about technology. It also depends on the economy and on people. We need infrastructure upgrades, investments, and international cooperation. So studying the future of green energy for science, business, and the country is a very important task.

What are the benefits?

1. By reducing CO₂ emissions and switching to water, wind, and solar power, countries can meet their climate goals and become less dependent on coal, oil, and gas.

2. Solar panels and wind turbines keep getting cheaper, while green energy capacity keeps growing. For example, in 2023, global solar power capacity passed 200 GW — that also created many jobs.

3. New technologies — energy storage systems (batteries, pumped hydro), digital power grids, and smart grids — have made electricity supply more reliable and flexible.

4. In New Zealand, about 85% of electricity already comes from renewable sources, including a large share from geothermal power.

What does the future look like?

1. By 2060, renewables are expected to become the main part of the world's energy mix, mainly from solar and wind.

2. New solutions will play a big role: hydrogen energy, carbon capture and storage, and hybrid systems that combine different energy sources.

3. A successful transition depends on government support, international cooperation, and people's willingness to change how they use energy.

What challenges do we face?

- Power generation is not always stable — solar and wind depend on the weather.

- We need a major upgrade of power grids and other infrastructure.

- Even with ambitious goals, there is a risk that the transition might slow down.

Now let's talk about the main thing — the development of renewable and clean energy. This is what shapes the future of our energy system. It leads to sustainable growth, lower emissions, and green infrastructure. Clean energy is not just a replacement for old energy — it's a strategic priority for many countries and companies that want a green future.

Facts and figures:

- In 2023, renewables provided about 30% of global electricity — 12% from wind and 11% from solar.

- According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the share of renewables in the global energy mix may exceed 50% by 2030 [1, p. 88].

- Over the last 10 years, the cost of solar energy dropped by more than 85%, and wind energy by 55%. Both are now cheaper than coal and natural gas [2, p. 128].

- More than 12 million people already work in renewable energy worldwide. By 2030, up to 38 million more jobs could be created.

- Kazakhstan plans to raise the share of renewables in its energy mix to 15% by 2030 — part of the region's effort to move to clean energy.

Global changes and drivers of the transition:

In 2024, global investment in renewables will exceed $550 billion — a record high. This shows how interested businesses and governments are in green energy.

International agreements — the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals — push countries to cut emissions and develop renewables. More than 140 countries have adopted carbon neutrality strategies.

Technological progress in batteries, hydropower, and electricity grids has made renewables more reliable and flexible. For example, modern lithium-ion batteries can store energy with over 90% efficiency.

Regional examples:

- In Europe, the share of renewables in the energy mix is above 40%.

- China is the global leader in solar panel installations — in 2023, it accounted for more than 50% of new capacity.

- Kazakhstan is actively developing wind and solar projects to reach 15% renewables by 2030.

Overall, global trends show that with investment, international agreements, and new technologies, the shift to clean energy is moving steadily forward.

The transition in Kazakhstan's energy sector:

Now let's look at our own country — Kazakhstan — and its Ministry of Energy. This sector plays a key role in the country's economy and development. In recent years, there have been major changes and achievements. Kazakhstan is modernizing its energy system, increasing electricity output, and introducing renewables. Special attention is given to meeting international climate commitments and moving to green energy — this reflects the country's desire for sustainable development and energy independence.