Scientific Mapping of Renewable Energy in Rural Areas: A Bibliometric Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69650/rast.2025.261128Keywords:
Bibliometric Analysis, Renewable Energy, Rural Electrification, Energy Policy, Sustainability, PRISMA Methodology, VOSviewerAbstract
This bibliometric study examines the research landscape on renewable energy in rural areas, analyzing publication trends, key contributors, thematic clusters, and emerging research directions from 1979-2025. Utilizing the Scopus database, VOSviewer, and R software's Bibliometrix package, this paper applies the PRISMA methodology to analyze 3,332 peer-reviewed publications. Findings revealed a consistent annual growth in research and considerable academic influence. India dominates global contributions, followed by China, the United States, and European countries, with institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology, North China Electric Power University, and Tsinghua University playing leading roles. Thematic analysis points to three dominant research clusters: climate change and biomass, rural energy access and electrification, and solar power and hybrid systems, evidencing an interdisciplinary effort with visions of technology, economics, and policy. New research areas such as hybrid renewable energy systems, digital infrastructure, and decentralized energy alternatives speak to increased interest in scalable and sustainable options for rural communities. Collaboration networks exhibit established research centers, but there are opportunities for further interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration development, especially in developing countries. These results strongly impact policymakers, academics, and the industry in demanding a joined-up approach toward deepening rural electrification and boosting global energy transition objectives.
References
Jaiswal, K. K., Chowdhury, C. R., Yadav, D., Verma, R., Dutta, S., Jaiswal, K. S. and Karuppasamy, K. S. K., Renewable and sustainable clean energy development and impact on social, economic, and environmental health. Energy Nexus. 7 (2022) 100118, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nexus.2022.100118.
Al-Shetwi, A. Q., Sustainable development of renewable energy integrated power sector: Trends, environmental impacts, and recent challenges. Science of The Total Environment. 822 (2022) 153645, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153645.
Salite, D., Kirshner, J., Cotton, M., Howe, L., Cuamba, B., Feijó, J. and Macome, A. Z., Electricity access in Mozambique: A critical policy analysis of investment, service reliability, and social sustainability. Energy Research & Social Science. 78 (2021) 102123, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2021.102123.
Haldorai, A., A survey of renewable energy sources and their contribution to sustainable development. Journal of Enterprise and Business Intelligence. 2 (2022) 211-222, doi: https://doi.org/10.53759/5181/JEBI202202021.
Souza, R. C. U., González-Quiñónez, L. A., Reyna-Tenorio, L. J., Salgado-Ortiz, P. J. and Chere-Quiñónez, B. F., Renewable energy development and employment in Ecuador's rural sector: An economic impact analysis. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy. 14 (2024) 464-479, doi: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.15297.
Moore, C. J., Renewable energy adoption and its effect on rural development in the United States. Journal of Developing Country Studies. 8 (2024) 15-30, doi: https://doi.org/10.47604/jdcs.2674.
Sovacool, B. K. and Drupady, I. M. Energy access, poverty, and development: The governance of small-scale renewable energy in developing Asia. Routledge, 1st edn., 2012, doi: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315579535.
Utoh, I., Ekpotu, W. and Obialor, M. Assessing the viability and impact of off-grid systems for sustainable electrification of rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. in the SPE Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition. (2024), SPE-221709-MS, doi: https://doi.org/10.2118/221709-MS.
Ranganathan, R., Subbaram, S., Indira, G., N., A. A. and Tharmar, S., A comparative study of renewable energy sources for power generation in rural areas. E3S Web of Conferences. 387 (2023) 05011, doi: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202338705011.
Yan, J., Li, J., Li, X. and Li, R., Digital transition and the clean renewable energy adoption in rural family: Evidence from broadband China. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 11 (2023) 1241410, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1241410.
Irfan, M., Hao, Y., Ikram, M., Wu, H., Akram, R. and Rauf, A., Assessment of the public acceptance and utilization of renewable energy in Pakistan. Sustainable Production and Consumption. 27 (2021) 312-324, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2020.10.031.
Štreimikienė, D., Baležentis, T., Volkov, A., Morkūnas, M., Žičkienė, A. and Štreimikis, J., Barriers and drivers of renewable energy penetration in rural areas. Energies. 14 (2021) 6452, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206452.
Unegbu, H. C. O., Yawas, D. S., Dan-asabe, B. and Alabi, A. A., An investigation of renewable energy solutions for off-grid sustainable housing in rural Nigeria. Journal of Sustainable Construction. 4 (2024) 37-59, doi: https://doi.org/10.26593/josc.v4i1.8112.
Hassan, W. and Duarte, A. E., Bibliometric analysis: A few suggestions. Current Problems in Cardiology. 49 (2024) 102640, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2024.102640.
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N. and Lim, W. M., How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research. 133 (2021) 285-296, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070.
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A. and Brennan, S. E., The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. International Journal of Surgery. 88 (2021) 105906, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.105906.
Aria, M. and Cuccurullo, C., bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics. 11 (2017) 959-975, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007.
RStudio Team, RStudio: Integrated development environment for R (Open source edition, AGPL v3) [Computer software]. Posit Software, PBC, 2024.
Van Eck, N. J., and Waltman, L., VOSviewer [Computer software]. Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, 2024.
Sen, R. and Bhattacharyya, S. C., Off-grid electricity generation with renewable energy technologies in India: An application of HOMER. Renewable Energy. 62 (2014) 388-398, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.07.028.
Martinot, E., Chaurey, A., Lew, D., Moreira, J. R. and Wamukonya, N., Renewable energy markets in developing countries. Annual Review of Environment and Resources. 27 (2002) 309-348, doi: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.27.122001.083444.
Adefarati, T., Bansal, R. C., Shoeb, M. A. and Shahnia, F. Techno-economic effects of renewable energy technologies on a microgrid system for residential buildings. in 9th International Conference on Power and Energy Systems (ICPES). (2019), 1-5, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICPES47639.2019.9105400.
Rad, M. A. V., Ghasempour, R., Rahdan, P., Mousavi, S. and Arastounia, M., Techno-economic analysis of a hybrid power system based on the cost-effective hydrogen production method for rural electrification: A case study in Iran. Energy. 190 (2020) 116421, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116421.
Van der Horst, D., NIMBY or not? Exploring the relevance of location and the politics of voiced opinions in renewable energy siting controversies. Energy Policy. 35 (2007) 2705-2714, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2006.12.012.
Ramakumar, R., Renewable energy sources and developing countries. IEEE Transactions on Power Apparatus Systems. 102 (1983) 502-510, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/TPAS.1983.317720.
Maravela, G. L. and Vatuiu, T., Energy of rural spaces—Technical, economic, and social analysis of renewable energy in isolated communities. Technium Romanian Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology. 14 (2023) 100-104, doi: https://doi.org/10.47577/technium.v14i.9687.
Shi, L., Guan, X., Gao, K., Pang, L., Liu, Y. and Xu, Z., Key technologies of rural integrated energy system with renewable energy as the main body. Frontiers in Energy Research. 10 (2022) 979599, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenrg.2022.979599.
Chodkowska-Miszczuk, J., Kuziemkowska, S., Verma, P., Martinát, S. and Lewandowska, A., To know is to accept. Uncovering the perception of renewables as a behavioural trigger of rural energy transition. Moravian Geographical Reports. 30 (2022) 311-323, doi: https://doi.org/10.2478/mgr-2022-0020.
Romero-Castro, N., López-Cabarcos, M. Á., Miramontes Viña, V. and Ribeiro-Soriano, D., Sustainable energy transition and circular economy: The heterogeneity of potential investors in rural community renewable energy projects. Environment, Development and Sustainability. 25 (2023) 1-26, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02898-z.
Taghikhah, F., Taghikhah, M., Marshall, J. P. and Voinov, A., Navigating the community renewable energy landscape: An analytics-driven policy formulation. Applied Energy. 362 (2024) 123007, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.123007.
Falchetta, G., Vinca, A., Trost, A., Tuninetti, M., Ireland, G., Byers, E., Hafner, M. and Zulu, A. Achieving renewable energy-centered sustainable development futures for rural Africa. in EGU General Assembly 2024. (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-15943.
Zapata, S., Uriona-Maldonado, M. and Herrera, M. M., The role of renewable energy policy and R&D in renewables diffusion. Electricity. 5 (2024) 526-545, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/electricity5030026.
Judijanto, L., Destiana, R., Selan, D. D., Nugroho, B. S. and Mauludin, M. A., The effect of green project financing, investment sustainability, and green bonds policy on the growth of the renewable energy industry in Indonesia. West Science Social and Humanities Studies. 2 (2024) 998-1009, doi: https://doi.org/10.58812/wsshs.v2i06.974.
Sharma, P. and Sengar, A., Trends and insights in renewable energy research: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis (2000-2023). International Journal of Energy Sector Management. ahead of print (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/ijesm-05-2024-0020.
Sharma, A., Rautela, S. and Panackal, N. Tracing the research journey of renewable energy in India. in 2024 International Conference on Computational Intelligence for Green and Sustainable Technologies (ICCIGST). (2024), 1-5, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCIGST60741.2024.10717530.
Eberhard, A. and Godinho, C., A review and exploration of the status, context and political economy of power sector reforms in Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America. UC Berkeley: Center for Effective Global Action (2017) 1-43.
Lesser, C. and Moisé-Leeman, E., Informal cross-border trade and trade facilitation reform in Sub-Saharan Africa. OECD Trade Policy Working Papers. 86 (2009) 1-55, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/225770164564.
Mishra, A., Fezaa, L. H. A., Bisht, Y. S., Nivedha, C. S., Kumar, R. and Sasipriya, S., Hybrid renewable energy systems: An integrated approach to rural electrification. E3S Web of Conferences. 540 (2024) 1-12, doi: https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202454001013.
Ekim, P. O., Demirock, E. and Ouedraogo, K. E. Re-evaluating rural electrification options for the energy transition. in 2024 IEEE 15th International Symposium on Power Electronics for Distributed Generation Systems (PEDG). (2024) 1-5, doi: https://doi.org/10.1109/PEDG61800.2024.10667389.
Hinestroza-Olascuaga, L. M., Carvalho, P. and Cardoso de Jesus, C. M. S., Lowering risk intolerance to unlock private investments in renewable energy-based rural electrification. Energy for Sustainable Development. 74 (2023) 258-268, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2023.02.011.
Aviso, K. B., Tan, R. R., Saleem, N., Ng, D. K. S. and Andiappan, V., Regional planning and optimization of renewable energy sources for improved rural electrification. Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability. 7 (2023) 785-804, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41660-023-00323-0.
Saleh, H. M. and Hassan, A. I., The challenges of sustainable energy transition: A focus on renewable energy. Applied Chemical Engineering. 7 (2024) 2084, doi: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v7i2.2084.
Wright, S. Sustainability Transitions. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781800880344.ch34.
Fragkos, P., Zisarou, E. and Andreou, A., Exploring the impacts of lifestyle changes in the global energy transition: Insights from a model-based analysis using Prometheus. Climate. 12 (2024) 193, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/cli12120193.
Persad, K., Xu, B. and Greening, P., Institutional investor behaviour and the energy transition: A complexity framework for accelerating sustainable finance from UK investors. Energy Economics. (2024), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2024.107444.
Omole, F. O., Olajiga, O. K. and Olatunde, T. M., Challenges and successes in rural electrification: A review of global policies and case studies. Engineering Science & Technology Journal. 5 (2024) 1031-1046, doi: https://doi.org/10.51594/estj.v5i3.956.
Leduchowicz-Municio, A., Juanpera, M., Domenech, B., Ferrer-Martí, L., Udaeta, M. E. M. and Gimenes, A. L. V., Field-driven multi-criteria sustainability assessment of last-mile rural electrification in Brazil. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 192 (2024) 114211, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2023.114211.
Irungu, R. W., Liu, Z., Liu, X. and Wanjiru, A. W., Role of networks of rural innovation in advancing the sustainable development goals: A quadruple helix case study. Sustainability. 15 (2023) 13221, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su151713221.
Glaser, A., Implementing cluster policies: Organizational dilemmas, pathologies, and evaluation. The case of a French policy-driven cluster. Doctoral dissertation, École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris. (2014).
Anbumozhi, V., 7 - Toward inclusive and sustainable rural energy transition: defining parameters of successful community participation in India. Energy Policy for Peace. (2023) 153-164, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-817350-3.00002-x.
Salas-Gironés, E., Goedeking, N. and Rogge, K., Policies for accelerating sustainability transitions: Bridging insights from transition studies and policy studies. Cambridge University Press, 2024, doi: https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2024-bqxtv.
Tomai, M., Ramani, S. V. and Papachristos, G., How can we design policy better? Frameworks and approaches for sustainability transitions. Sustainability. 16 (2024) 690, doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020690.
Palm, J., Kojonsaari, A. R. and Magnusson, D., Toward energy democracy: Municipal energy actions in local renewable energy projects. Energy Research & Social Science. 120 (2025) 103921, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2025.103921.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 School of Renewable Energy and Smart Grid Technology (SGtech)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
All copyrights of the above manuscript, including rights to publish in any media, are transferred to the SGtech.
The authors retain the following rights;
1. All proprietary rights other than copyright.
2. Re-use of all or part of the above manuscript in their work.
3. Reproduction of the above manuscript for author’s personal use or for company/institution use provided that
(a) prior permission of SGtech is obtained,
(b) the source and SGtech copyright notice are indicated, and
(c) the copies are not offered for sale.
