Next-generation eco-energy systems for renewable energy, emerging technologies, and sustainable low-carbon pathways

The transition toward renewable energy systems is necessary for climate change mitigation, improving energy security, and achieving sustainability objectives. This review offers a critical evaluation of the new eco-energy technologies that contribute to low-carbon and circular energy technologies as a whole. The current review analyses recent developments in renewable electricity production, sustainable fuels production, energy storage systems, battery recycling, perovskite solar cells (PSCs), bioenergy systems, and waste-to-electricity technology. Special emphasis is made on novel approaches to seawater-to-fuels conversion, carbon dioxide usage, next-generation rechargeable batteries, environment-friendly lithium-ion battery recycling, and microbial fuel cells. Besides providing an overview of recent innovations in the field, this review evaluates the degree of technical maturity, efficiency, scaleability, environmental impacts, and commercialization issues of the considered technologies. An integrated approach is used to show the possibility of synergy between renewable energy production, resource recovery, sustainable fuels and circular economy solutions in order to promote carbon-neutral energy systems. This review explores some of the advancements made in renewable electricity generation, seawater to fuel processes, CO ₂ conversion methods, next-generation batteries, battery recycling, PSCs, bioenergy, and waste-to-electricity processes as these contribute to the transition toward carbon-neutral and circular energy systems.