A. Boudghene Stambouli - Department of Electronics, Electrical and Electronics Faculty.
N. Larbi
E. Traversa - University of Roma "Tor Vergata". Department of Chemical Science and Technology Via della Ricerca Scientifica, ۰۰۱۳۳ Roma. Italy

With costs and environmental concerns on the increase, traditional energy resources are under mounting attack. Most governments worldwide stressed the importance of reducing greenhouse and effluent gas emissions, in a serious attempt to stabilise our climate. By 2010, 25% of the world's energy must come from renewable sources, but in light of the above, we must ask ourselves: Where will the other 75% come from?...Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs and a society seeking sustainable development ideally must utilise only environmental-friendly energy resources. In fact Energy security, Economic growth and Environmental protection (the three E’s) are the national energy policy drivers of any country of the world. A recent World Energy Council (WEC) study found that without any change in our current practice, the world energy demand in 2020 would be 50 to 80% higher than 1990 levels. The world’s energy consumption today is estimated to 22 billion kWh per year, 53 billion kWh by 2020. Such ever-increasing demand could place significant strain on the current energy infrastructure and potentially damage world environmental health by CO, CO2, SO2, NOX effluent gas emissions and global warming. Achieving solutions to environmental problems that we face today requires long-term potential actions for sustainable development. In this regard, renewable energy resources appear to be the one of the most efficient and effective solutions since the intimate relationship between renewable energy and sustainable development. More rational use of energy is an important bridge to help transition from today's fossil fuel dominated world to a world powered by non polluting fuels and advanced technologies such as photovoltaic (PV) and fuel cells (FC). Throughout the paper several issues relating to renewable energies, environment and sustainable development are examined from both current and future perspectives. Anticipated patterns of future energy use and consequent environmental impacts (acid precipitation, ozone depletion and the greenhouse effect or global warming) are comprehensively discussed. Also described in this paper are the potential for such integrated systems in the stationary and portable power market in response to the critical need for a cleaner energy technology. A discussion is also made upon current and emerging technologies, the industry structure, the competitive environment, current and future markets, key applications, current and growth factors of such systems. In the wake of recent blackouts, oil prices, and news headlines, questions abound as to the status of every source of energy - from fossil fuels, to nuclear, to renewable. We note positively, "If it's the best way to provide a new energy source for our needs, then we can, and probably should, do it!"

Energy, Environment, Solar, Electrolytes, Electrodes and hydrogen