Renewable Energy: A First Course

Renewable energy has great significance for the world’s future, given the environmental issues related to energy generation and energy’s importance in our society. Making wise energy choices is not easy, however. It involves balanced consideration of economic, environmental, technical, political, and other perspectives to weigh the relative costs and benefits for a host of possible technologies. Renewable Energy: A First Course is an accessible textbook for science and engineering students who want a well-balanced introduction to the science, technologies, economics, and policies related to energy choices. How Does Renewable Energy Work? Science, Technologies, Economics, and Key Policy Issues The book delves into all forms of renewable energy, from biofuels and geothermal energy to wind, hydro, and solar power. It also discusses nuclear power and fossil fuels, allowing readers to compare and evaluate the advantages and shortcomings of renewable energy. In addition, the book explores four overarching topics that go beyond a specific type of energy, namely, energy conservation, energy storage, energy transmission, and energy policy, and examines the important issue of climate change. A Broad Introduction for Science and Engineering Students Requiring only a basic background in physics and calculus, the book avoids technical jargon and advanced mathematical approaches to focus on the basic principles of renewable energy. Throughout, a wealth of illustrations and real-world examples make the concepts more concrete. Designed for a one- or two-semester course, this book takes a broad approach that addresses the need for diversity in any nation’s energy portfolio.

Table of Contents:
Introduction Why Another Book on Energy? Why Is Energy So Important to Society? Exactly What Is Energy? Might There Be Some New Forms of Energy Not Yet Known? What Are the Units of Energy? Laws of Thermodynamics What Is an Energy Source? What Exactly Is the World’s Energy Problem? How Is Green or Renewable Energy Defined? Why Has Renewable Energy and Conservation Been Neglected Until Fairly Recently? Does Energy Efficiency Really Matter? Which Renewable Energy Sources Hold the Greatest Promise? Who Are the World Leaders in Renewable Energy? What Is Our Likely Energy Future? Complexities in Charting the Best Course for the Future Summary Problems References Fossil Fuels Introduction Coal Petroleum and Natural Gas Summary Problems References Nuclear Power: Basic Science Introduction Early Years Discovery of the Atomic Nucleus Mathematical Details of the Rutherford Scattering Experiment Composition and Structure of the Atom and Its Nucleus Nuclear Radii Nuclear Forces Ionizing Radiation and Nuclear Transformations Nuclear Mass and Energy Nuclear Binding Energy Energy Released in Nuclear Fusion Mechanics of Nuclear Fission Mechanics of Nuclear Fusion Radioactive Decay Law Health Physics Radiation Detectors Radiation Sources Impacts of Radiation on Humans Summary Problems References Nuclear Power: Technology Introduction Early History Critical Mass Nuclear Weapons and Nuclear Proliferation World’s First Nuclear Reactor Nuclear Reactors of Generations I and II Existing Reactor Types Reactor Accidents Front End of the Fuel Cycle: Obtaining the Raw Material Back End of the Fuel Cycle: Nuclear Waste Economics of Large-Scale Nuclear Power Small Modular Reactors Nuclear Fusion Reactors Summary Problems References Biofuels Introduction Photosynthesis Biofuel Classifications Other Uses of Biofuels and Social–Environmental Impacts Artificial Photosynthesis Summary Problems References Geothermal Energy Introduction and Why Geothermal Is Important Geophysics of the Earth’s Interior Thermal Gradient Characterization and Relative Abundance of the Resource Geothermal Electricity Power Plants Residential and Commercial Geothermal Heating Sustainability of Geothermal Environmental Impacts Economics of Geothermal Electricity Summary Problems References Wind Power Introduction and Historical Uses Wind Characteristics and Resources Power Transfer to a Turbine Turbine Types and Terms Controlling and Optimizing Wind Turbine Performance Electrical Aspects and Grid Integration Small Wind Offshore Wind Environmental Impacts Unusual Designs and Applications Problems References Hydropower Introduction to Hydropower Wave, Tidal, and Ocean Thermal Power Resources Introduction to Tidal Power and the Cause of the Tides Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Social and Environmental Impacts of Hydropower Summary Problems References Solar Radiation and Earth’s Climate Introduction Electromagnetic Radiation Types of Spectra Apparent Motion of the Sun in the Sky Availability of Solar Radiation on Earth Optimum Collector Orientation and Tilt Greenhouse Effect Summary Problems References Solar Thermal Introduction Solar Water-Heating Systems Flat-Plate Collectors Evacuated Collectors Collector and System Efficiency Thermal Losses in Pipes Water Tanks and Thermal Capacitance Passive Solar Hot Water System Swimming Pool Heating Space Heating and Cooling Three Applications Well Suited to Developing Nations Electricity Generation Summary Appendix: Four Heat Transfer Mechanisms Problems References Photovoltaics Introduction Conductors, Insulators, and Semiconductors Increasing the Conductivity of Semiconductors through Doping pn Junction Generic Photovoltaic Cell Electrical Properties of a Solar Cell Efficiency of Solar Cells and Solar Systems Efficiency of Solar Systems Grid Connection and Inverters Other Types of Solar Cells Environmental Issues Summary Appendix: Basic Quantum Mechanics and the Formation of Energy Bands Problems References Energy Conservation and Efficiency Introduction Factors Besides Efficiency Influencing Energy-Related Choices Lowest of the Low Hanging Fruit Obstacles to Efficiency and Conservation Is Energy Efficiency and Conservation Ultimately Futile? Summary Problems References Energy Storage and Transmission Energy Storage Energy Transmission Summary Problems References Climate and Energy: Policy, Politics, and Public Opinion How Important Are International Agreements? What Are the Top-Three GHG Emitters Doing? How Much Time Does the World Have to Move Away from Fossil Fuels? How Has Public Opinion Evolved? Best Way Forward? Summary Some Concluding Thoughts Problems References Appendix: Answers to Even-Numbered Problems Index

About the Author :
Robert Ehrlich is a professor of physics at George Mason University. He earned his B.S. in physics from Brooklyn College and his Ph.D. from Columbia University. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society. He formerly chaired the physics departments at George Mason University and SUNY New Paltz and has taught physics for nearly four decades. Dr. Ehrlich is an elementary particle physicist and has worked in a number of other areas as well. He has authored or edited 20 books and about 100 journal articles. His current scholarly interests include renewable energy and the existence of faster-than-light particles.

Review :
"This book can help you understand and communicate about topics involving physics of renewable energy. Many good features occupy the over-400 pages of this book. Most importantly, Ehrlich places renewable energy technologies within a context that makes sense for environmental professionals. … deserves a place on the bookshelf of people working on energy projects …" —John H. Perkins, Environmental Practice, December 2013 "Professor Ehrlich has succeeded in writing a clear, relevant and well-organized book that is very close to a perfect fit for the kind of course I want to teach. This text provides a nice balance between discussing the applied physical principles in energy production and describing state-of-the art technology in the energy field. The text is very clear and readable, and I found the problem sets to be excellent learning tools." —Professor John Smedley, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, USA "Ehrlich’s readable style with humorous touches keeps the reader engaged. I can see this book as being a well-thumbed text by a wide spectrum of science students and others involved in learning about the central importance of energy security for societies. I strongly recommend Renewable Energy: A First Course for advanced level or introductory level graduate students and teachers or lecturers of these courses." —Alexander Waller, CBiol MSB