The global transition to alternative energy systems is essential to addressing climate change, energy insecurity, and sustainable development challenges. Over the past three decades, alternative energy research has expanded significantly, driven by the need for decarbonization, resilience, and inclusivity. This bibliometric analysis examines the evolution of alternative energy research from 1996 to 2024, analyzing 91 documents sourced from 78 academic journals. Using advanced bibliometric techniques, including keyword co-occurrence, thematic mapping, and co-citation analysis, the study identifies key trends, thematic clusters, and critical research gaps. The findings highlight a dynamic progression in alternative energy research, with established themes such as biomass and bioenergy serving as foundational pillars, while emerging areas like hydrogen technologies, energy storage systems, and life cycle assessments (LCA) illustrate the field's innovative trajectory. Despite significant advancements, several critical gaps remain. These include the limited scalability and affordability of energy storage technologies, insufficient integration of sustainability metrics into policymaking, geographic imbalances in research contributions favoring developed nations, and a lack of comprehensive techno-economic feasibility studies for emerging technologies. This study emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and equitable representation to address these gaps. By synthesizing insights from leading contributors and mapping thematic clusters, the analysis provides actionable recommendations for advancing alternative energy solutions. The findings serve as a roadmap for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy systems, bridging the gap between technological innovation, policy frameworks, and global sustainability goals. This study underscores the critical role of alternative energy research in fostering a sustainable future.