Description
Book SynopsisThis four-volume set, edited by a leading expert in the field, brings together in one collection a series of papers that have been fundamental to the development of renewable energy as a defined discipline. Some of the papers were first published many years ago, but they remain classics in their fields and retain their relevance to the understanding of current issues. The papers have been selected with the assistance of an eminent international editorial board. The set includes a general introduction and each volume is introduced by a new overview essay, placing the selected papers in context. The range of subject matter is considerable, including coverage of all the main renewable technologies, the fundamental principles by which they function, and the issues around their deployment such as planning, integration and socio-economic assessment.
Overall, the set provides students, teachers and researchers, confronted with thousands of journal articles, book chapters and grey literature stretching back decades, with a ready-made selection of and commentary on the most important key writings in renewable energy. It will be an essential reference for libraries concerned with energy, technology and the environment.
Trade Review'This timely compendium will be valuable for researchers entering the field and a valuable launch pad for businesses and other organisations developing and implementing sustainable energy systems.'
Mark Diesendorf, Institute of Environmental Studies, University of New South Wales, Australia
'In response to energy security, economic growth, and climate change challenges, renewable energies is now a major and growing area of investments globally. These unique volumes offer perspectives on the evolution of renewables and their continued success. They are recommended to all interested in action for sustainability!'
Thomas B. Johansson, International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics, Lund University, Sweden and Co-Chair, Global Energy Assessment, IIASA
Table of ContentsVolume I:
Renewable Energy Origins and Flows
1. History
Energy use by humans and their societies, milestones in technology development
2. Flows
Solar energy cycle, creation of indirect flows and deposits
3. Resource base and demand
Size of renewable energy resources, temporal variations, demand emphasis on measures that work in synergy with renewable energy
Volume II:
Renewable Energy Technologies I
1. Solar electricity
Photovoltaic devices, photoelectrochemical devices, e.g. organic or polymer-based
2. Solar heat
Small building-integrated, large communal concepts, concentrators
Volume III:
Renewable Energy Technologies II
1. Wind energy
Converter types, on- and off-shore constructions
2. Biofuels
Solid, liquid and gaseous fuels derived from agriculture, forestry and aquaculture
3. Other sources for conversion
Hydropower, geothermal energy, wave power, etc.
Volume IV:
Renewable Energy in Society
1. Integrated approaches
Integrating individual renewable energy technologies into supply systems
2. Socio-economic and environmental assessment
Prices, direct and full cost, environmental assessment, life-cycle analysis
3. Scenario construction and analysis
From visions to consistent and implementable system structures
4. Sustainability, planning and policy
Visions, plans, policy requirements, communication, dealing with obstacles
