Introduction to Renewable Energy, Second Edition

Introduction to Renewable Energy, Second Edition covers the fundamentals of renewable energy and serves as a resource to undergraduates in renewable energy courses, non-specialists within the energy industries, or anyone working to support the successful implementation of renewable energy. The second edition discusses developments that have occurred since the publication of the first edition and considers the growing environmental impact of human activity on planet Earth. Dedicated to converging science and technology in a way that ensures a sustainable future, this book outlines the basics of renewable energy and focuses on current and developing policies that support the shift to renewable energy. New in the second edition, the book addresses bioenergy, energy balance, biodiesel, photovoltaic applications, and climate change. The authors take a multidisciplinary approach and share their observations on trending technologies (including neuroscience, artificial intelligence, virtual reality (VR), nanotechnology, and genetic engineering) that they predict will have a significant impact in the next 25 years. Attributing the major problems in the world to overconsumption and overpopulation, they outline solutions that depend on global and local policies and work to reduce consumption, population growth, greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and military expenditures. In addition, the book proposes possible answers to our energy dilemma that include: Reduced demand of fossil fuels to depletion rate Transition to zero population growth and the beginning of a steady-state society A tax placed on carbon Implementing more policies and incentives to increase conservation and efficiency and to decrease the emissions of carbon dioxide "… a basic introduction to renewable energy… for non-engineering and physics students... a balanced book in terms of content and topics covered … with limited interests for professionals working in the field." —Radian Belu, University of Alaska Anchorage, USA

Table of Contents:
Introduction Energy and Society Types of Energy Renewable Energy Advantages/Disadvantages Economics Climate Change Order of Magnitude Estimates Growth (Exponential) Solutions References Recommended Resources Energy Introduction Definition of Energy and Power Heat Thermodynamics Energy Dilemma in Light of the Laws of Thermodynamics Use of Fossil Fuels Nuclear Finite Resource Summary References Recommended Resources Sun Solar Power Electromagnetic Spectrum Energy Balance of the Earth Earth–Sun Motion Earth Motion Insolation Solar Resource Greenhouse Effect References Recommended Resources Heat Transfer and Storage Introduction Conduction Convection Radiation Thermal Mass Seasonal Heating or Cooling Thermal Comfort References Recommended Resources Solar Heating and Cooling Building Passive Windows and Glazing Passive Heating and Cooling Active Heating Active Cooling Daylighting Hybrid and Other Drying Agricultural Products, Lumber Solar Cookers Water Purification References Recommended Resources Photovoltaics Introduction Physics Basics Energy Bands Photovoltaic Basics Performance Design Considerations Installed Capacity and Production Distributed Systems Community Solar Applications Comments References Recommended Resources Concentrating Solar Power Introduction Power Tower Line or Linear Dish/Engine Point Focus Solar Pond Comments References Recommended Resources Solar Systems Introduction Passive Systems Hybrid Systems Active Systems Underground Homes Computer Software Others References Recommended Resources Wind Energy Introduction Wind Resource Wind Turbines Wind Farms Wind Industry Small Wind Turbines Distributed-Community Wind Village Power Wind Diesel Others Performance Comments References Recommended Resources Bioenergy Introduction Climate Change Biomass Production Conversion Heat and Power Biofuels Comments References Recommended Resources Geothermal Energy Introduction Resource Types of Geothermal Resources Direct Use Geothermal Heat Pumps Electricity Comments References Recommended Resources Water Introduction World Resource Hydroelectric Turbines Impulse Turbines Reaction Turbines Water Flow Tides Ocean Others References Recommended Resources Storage Introduction Pumped Hydro Case Study Compressed Air Flywheels Batteries Other Storage Systems Hydrogen References Recommended Resources Institutional Issues Introduction The United States Regulations Environmental Issues Politics Incentives Externalities (Social Costs/Benefits) Transmission References Recommended Resources Economics Introduction Factors Affecting Economics Economic Analyses Life-Cycle Costs Present Worth and Levelized Costs Externalities Project Development Cost (Value) of Energy and Different Sources Summary Future Trends References Recommended Resources Observations Solid-State Electronics Internet Geographic Information Systems Satellites Examples Interactive Maps Interactive Database Tools Others Predictions Science Authors’ Predictions On the Downside References Recommended Resources Appendix

About the Author :
Vaughn C. Nelson, PhD, has been involved with renewable energy since the early 1970s. Dr. Vaughn has published numerous papers and is the author of three books, including Wind Energy (2009, 2nd Ed 2013) and Introduction to Renewable Energy (2011) from CRC Press. His primary work has been on wind resource assessment, education and training, applied R&D, and rural applications of wind energy. He has received three awards from the American Wind Energy Association. His degrees include a PhD in physics from the University of Kansas; an EdM from Harvard University; and a BSE from Kansas State Teachers College. Kenneth Starcher has a BS in physics/computer science at West Texas State University (1980). He received an MS in engineering technology at WTAMU (1995). Starcher has been a field worker at the Alternative Energy Institute (AEI) Wind Test Center since 1980. He has been the educational funnel for onsite training and public information for students and public workshops for AEI, and has served as a trainer at wind and solar training workshops locally, nationally, and internationally. He has also served as a research technician, research associate, assistant director, director, and associate director for AEI over the past 35 years.

Review :
"… explores most of the basic modes of renewable energy at an introductory level, paying enough attention to institutional issues and environmental impacts. The writers succeed in keeping the reader interested throughout the book." —Marios Nestoros, Associate Professor, Department of Engineering, University of Nicosia, Cyprus "The book provides a wide-ranging overview of renewable energy technologies, in a single volume. The coverage of each technology is made much more interesting, and appears more relevant, by the incorporation of numerous examples of such systems in real-world operation." —Dr. William J. Smith, University College Dublin, Ireland "Overall, this textbook is good for an undergraduate introductory course in renewable energy. It provides numerous real world examples and updated data in the power industries." —Chean Chin Ngo, California State University, Fullerton, USA "This is a well-balanced book – enough detail to understand all sciences of renewable energy but understandable for a survey class that needs some basic mastery of all subjects with enough science and technology mixed in." —Thomas L Looker, Associate Professor, Edison State College, Piqua, Ohio, USA "The history included with each chapter provides a good base for students to build current concepts and knowledge upon. Anyone can benefit from this gentle introduction to renewables." —John van Loon, Mohawk College, Ontario, Canada "… carefully crafted and supported with examples… I am sure that this book will serve as a good textbook for undergraduate students. In addition, this book will be a valuable resource for all students and engineers who study and work in renewable energy fields." —Cüneyt Ezgi, Turkish Naval Academy, Istanbul "This book provides a comprehensive overview on renewable energy industry, technology and research, presents solid knowledge and detailed information." —Lei Zhang, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, USA "I like the outline of the text and think that it includes a good balance of introductory information and technical details. Images used enhance the description of the text. The figures include recent data from government reports, which put the information in context… does a great job introducing the student to some of the biofuel technologies… the authors motivate the need for energy by talking about the environmental factors. As a researcher, I am impressed that a thorough analysis of the multiple sources of production of liquid fuel from biomass is included." —Timothy Thibodeau, Castleton University, Vermont, USA "… presents a `solid, comprehensive overview of the renewable energy field." —Dr. William Kao, University of California Santa Cruz, Silicon Valley Extension, USA "… the approach adopted by authors in this book to explain basics is easy to follow by students. …Topics are well selected and defined..." —Ali Assi, Lebanese International University "… a basic introduction to renewable energy… for non-engineering and physics students... a balanced book in terms of content and topics covered … with limited interests for professionals working in the field." —Radian Belu, University of Alaska Anchorage, USA