A review of renewable technologies for power generation in the high mountain ecosystem

Abstract

Mountainous areas face challenges such as rugged topography, harsh weather, and limited access to power grids; however, they also offer potential for renewable energy generation, mainly through solar and wind resources. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of implementing renewable energy systems in these regions and identify the most studied renewable technologies in high mountain contexts using the PRISMA methodology for rigorous literature selection and VOSviewer for bibliometric analysis. Among them, solar photovoltaic and wind energy stand out due to their high potential in these environments. The study analyzes key parameters such as technological efficiency, solar radiation variability, and wind patterns, including technical aspects like minimum wind speeds derived from the Weibull distribution and solar irradiance levels necessary for system design. The results show that the insights obtained from the bibliometric analysis help evaluate the feasibility and performance of renewable energy solutions in complex terrains. In conclusion, the study highlights the most viable technologies for high mountain areas and provides recommendations for their implementation. Although technical and environmental challenges persist, these ecosystems offer significant opportunities for sustainable energy generation. The findings provide guidance for future research and the development of innovative projects in remote, mountainous regions.