The Applied Economics of Renewable Energy

This essay draws a picture of the applied economics of renewable energy which is being championed as a potentially significant new source of jobs and growth, especially in OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, and a means of addressing environmental and energy security concerns. In most countries, governments have invested large amounts of public money to support RE development and are requiring significant quantities of it to be sold by energy providers. In fact, accelerating the deployment of renewable energy will fuel economic growth, create new employment opportunities, enhance human welfare, and contribute to a climate-safe future. So, what are the economic benefits and achievement in the renewable energy sector? What is applied economics, and how can renewable energy be studied from this side? These are some of the questions explored by this report. Finally, the essay explores the global trade in RE investment.