One area of research on the implementation of non-conventional energy is the global demand for alternatives. Research topics include an examination of the environmental factors driving global need, such as concern over the greenhouse gas emissions and global warming associated with conventional fossil fuel-based sources. In their 2007 assessment report, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world's leading scientific and political authority on global warming, maintains that man-made greenhouse gas emissions are the primary cause of global warming. Research topics on global demand also include the health risks to human and animal life associated with conventional sources, and how the use of non-conventional sources minimizes hazard.
There are multiple sources of non-conventional energy, most all of which are derived from renewable natural resources, such as sun, wind, hydro-electric power and agricultural biomass. Research on the global implementation of these sources includes examinations of the different varieties currently available, the varieties being tested for future development and implementation, and the history of research and development in this field. Research topics also include the regional variations in non-conventional sources, such as hydro-electric dams in Brazil's Iguazu Falls, wind farms in the American Midwest or the Chinese Seven Gorges project.
While non-conventional energy sources offer many benefits in comparison to conventional sources, they have different levels of efficiency and cost. One important topic of research is the examination of the different energy output levels afforded by different sources. The discussion of efficiency is closely tied to available funding, regional resource availability and energy storage issues.
Although governmental and scientific bodies are increasingly aware of the global need to move away from dependence on conventional energy sources, the worldwide implementation of non-conventional sources remains hampered by several barriers. An important topic of research is the examination of existing barriers to implementation. Such barriers include conflict of interest by existing fossil fuel corporations, lack of international consensus, geopolitical resource disputes and limitations in available funding. Another important dimension to the challenges in implementation is the social impact of generating non-conventional energy. While large-scale alternative energy infrastructure can provide valuable services to the public and private sector, these structures can also displace communities or indigenous groups from their areas of settlement, as noted by the World Health Organization.