Sudan University of Science and Technology College of Graduate Studies Department of Electrical Engineering

Introduction: 
The twenty-first century is forming into the perfect energy storm. Rising 
energy prices, diminishing energy availability and security, and growing 
environmental concerns are quickly changing the global energy panorama. 
Energy and water are the keys to modern life and provide the basis necessary for 
sustained economic development. Industrialized societies have become 
increasingly dependent on fossil fuels for myriad uses. Modern conveniences, 
mechanized agriculture, and global population growth have only been made 
possible through the exploitation of inexpensive fossil fuels. Securing 
sustainable and future energy supplies will be the greatest challenge faced by all 
societies in this century. Due to a growing world population and increasing 
modernization, global energy demand is projected to more than double during 
the first half of the twenty-first century and to more than triple by the end of the 
century. Presently, the world’s population is nearly 7 billion, and projections are 
for a global population approaching 10 billion by midcentury. Future energy 
demands can only be met by introducing an increasing percentage of alternative 
fuels. Incremental improvements in existing energy networks will be inadequate 
to meet this growing energy demand. Due to dwindling reserves and ever-
growing concerns over the impact of burning carbon fuels on global climate 
change, fossil fuel sources cannot be exploited as in the past. Finding sufficient 
supplies of clean and sustainable energy for the future is the global society’s most 
daunting challenge for the twenty-first century. The future will be a mix of 
energy technologies with renewable sources such as solar, wind, and biomass 
playing an increasingly important role in the new global energy economy. The 

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key question is: How long it will take for this sustainable energy changeover to 
occur? And how much environmental, political, and economic damage is 
acceptable in the meantime? If the twenty-first century sustainable energy 
challenge is not met quickly, many less-developed countries will suffer major 
famines and social instability from rising energy prices. Ultimately, the world’s 
economic order is at stake. Approximately one-third of the world’s population 
lives in rural regions without access to the electric grid, and about half of these 
same people live without access to safe and clean water. Solar energy is unique 
in that it can easily provide electricity and purified water for these people today 
with minimal infrastructure requirements by using local energy resources that 
promote local economic development. Unfortunately, traditional fossil fuel 
energy use has had serious and growing negative environmental impacts, such 
as CO2 emissions, global warming, air pollution, deforestation, and overall 
global environmental degradation. Additionally, fossil fuel reserves are not 
infinite or renewable; the supply is limited. Without a doubt, there will be 
significant changes in our society’s modern energy infrastructure by the end of 
the twenty-first century. A future mix that includes sustainable energy sources 
will contribute to our prosperity and health. Our future energy needs must be met 
by a mix of sustainable technologies that have minimal environmental impacts. 
Potentially, many of these technologies will use solar energy in all its forms, 
permitting gradual evolution into a hydrogen-based economy. A renewable 
energy revolution is our hope for a sustainable future. Clearly, the future belongs 
to clean energy sources and to those who prepare for it now.