Perspectives

Pay-as-you-go energy systems are a promising market-based approach to paying for energy in small amounts in sub-Saharan Africa; however, implementation and the suitability of current business models show room for improvement. This Perspective outlines an agenda for more inclusive PAYG systems.

Development ramifications of global decarbonization efforts for fossil fuel-producing low and lower–middle income countries remain underexplored. This Perspective suggests three transition pathways for navigating these ramifications.

Payments awarded for renewables are sometimes labelled as subsidies, suggesting support for uneconomic activity. This Perspective argues that the primary role of contracts for difference is risk management by creating a market for electricity supply at stable long-term prices.

The mechanical reliability of perovskite solar cells is a key hurdle that needs to be addressed to commercialize the technology. Dai and Padture discuss the driving stress, mechanical properties and mechanical failures relevant to these devices and how they should be characterized.

As the deployment of variable renewable energy sources may lead to greater cross-border electricity exchange, energy scholars have generally presumed the emergence of cooperative multi-state grid communities. This Perspective uses International Relations theory to explore this assumption.

Justice is increasingly recognized as a core proposition for energy transitions, but questions remain about how it manifests in energy transition innovations. This Perspective introduces a framework for centring justice consideration in these innovations across levels, illustrating its use through two case studies.

Discussions abound regarding the future of African energy systems, yet they typically overlook the different starting points and development objectives of each country. This Perspective highlights these differences and calls for more context-specific attention to define low-carbon energy pathways.

The development of high-energy Li-ion batteries is being geared towards cobalt-free cathodes because of economic and social–environmental concerns. Here the authors analyse the chemistry, thermodynamics and resource potential of these strategic transition metals, and propose that the use of cobalt will likely continue.

The growth of small-scale off-grid solar products across the Global South has expanded access to energy but also created a rising issue of e-waste. Munro et al. explore the structure of the off-grid solar sector, how it creates barriers to addressing e-waste, and what research is needed to overcome them.

The rapid and large-scale changes required to decarbonize energy systems will have varying impacts on different societal groups, making decisions hard. This Perspective calls for greater attention to the use of realist approaches to research, which can help understand what works for whom, under what circumstances and why.

Often presented as a bridge technology to a future zero-carbon energy system, natural gas infrastructure expansion remains hotly debated. Here Kemfert et al. discuss recent research to argue how such expansion hinders climate targets and energy transitions and suggest how research can support better planning.

Li–S batteries are a promising next-generation storage technology and the assessment of their performance is critical for their development. Here the authors analyse key Li–S cell parameters, formulate the energy density calculation and discuss design targets for practical applications.

Electrochemical charge storage in a confined space is often interpreted as either electrostatic adsorption or Faradaic intercalation. Here the authors propose that the storage mechanism is a continuous transition between the two phenomena depending on the extent of ion solvation and ion–host interaction.

Pacific Island Countries and Territories are seeking to improve their energy systems, which face challenges such as climate change. This Perspective discusses research priorities to support Pacific Island Countries and Territories in building energy resilience while drawing on their own unique strengths and existing community responses.

High-socioeconomic-status individuals have a disproportionate effect on greenhouse gas emissions as consumers and through four other key roles they play in society. This Perspective examines the effect and suggests how future research could seek to reduce the resulting energy and climate impact.

Silicon-containing batteries are increasingly becoming a reality in the mass market, but their calendar aging behaviours have received comparatively little attention. Researchers from the Silicon Consortium Project discuss the issues surrounding the calendar lifetime of silicon anodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Theoretical modelling is essential to deepen our understanding of heterogeneous electrocatalytic energy conversion processes, such as water splitting. Here, Sharon Hammes-Schiffer and Giulia Galli offer their perspectives on the best strategies for successfully studying such systems.

Oxygen redox in Li-rich oxide cathodes is of both fundamental and practical interest in Li-ion battery development. Bruce and team examine the current understanding of oxygen-redox processes, especially those concerning O₂ formation, and discuss strategies that can harness oxygen redox with suppressed side effects.

Performance assessments of redox flow batteries (RFBs) can be challenging due to inconsistency in testing methods and conditions. Here the authors summarize major performance metrics of RFBs, analyse their degradation mechanisms and propose testing protocols for benchmarking.

Performance breakthroughs in rechargeable batteries are regularly reported in academic publications. Here the authors closely examine literature data on aluminium batteries and offer a realistic perspective on the technology.