Modern renewable energy (RES) conversion technologies are considered, including the energy use of solar radiation for electricity, heat and cold, wind flows, biomass, geothermal fluids, small water flows and low-potential heat, as well as "key" technologies for short-term and long-term accumulation of heat and electricity. Generalized indicators of the scale and effectiveness of the practical application of renewable energy sources in the world and Russia, the achieved technical and economic indicators of power plants for renewable energy sources of various types are presented and the trends of their change since the beginning of the new century are analyzed.