  Renewable energy resources are widely available, yet they are unevenly
distributed globally. In a renewable future, countries lacking high-quality
renewable resources may choose to import energy from other countries. To assess
the resource-dependent and techno-economic basis for global renewable energy
trade and identify potential importers and exporters, this study introduces two
new metrics: Renewable Levelized Cost of Energy available for Export (RLCOE_Ex)
and Potential Energy Export Volume (PEEV). These metrics are computed based on
regional resource potential, domestic energy demand and varying financial costs
across countries, without the need for any energy system modeling. By applying
these two metrics to 165 countries/regions, we identify countries with
significant potential for exporting renewable energy (e.g., the US, China) and
those that lack the domestic resources to satisfy demand (e.g., South Korea,
Japan). The RLCOE_Ex and PEEV metrics are validated through a separate
analysis, employing a comprehensive energy system model for each
country/region.
