Renewable Energy and Climate Change
Wiley - IEEE
1. Edition February 2010
320 Pages, Hardcover
Professional Book
Short Description
Renewable Energy is a clear introduction to the topics of climate protection and renewable energy, demonstrating the correlations between use of energy, energy prices, and climate change. It evaluates and analyzes the current world situation, whilst also giving essential and practical guidance on "personal" climate protection. Each major type of renewable energy system is covered in detail. This book can be used as a manual for planning and realizing climate protection and renewable energy systems, or as a textbook for students of renewable energy and environment and sustainability.
This dazzling introductory textbook encompasses the full range of today's important renewable energy technologies.
Solar thermal, photovoltaic, wind, hydro, biomass and geothermal energy receive balanced treatment with one exciting and informative chapter devoted to each. As well as a complete overview of these state-of-the-art technologies, the chapters provide:
* clear analysis on their development potentials;
* an evaluation of the economic aspects involved;
* concrete guidance for practical implementation; how to reduce your own energy waste.
If we do not act now to stop climate change, the consequences will be catastrophic. The current world situation is demonstrated here with the aid of full-colour figures and photographs, data diagrams and simple calculations and results. A multiplicity of impressive examples from countries across the globe show international 'alternative' energy in action.
With its easy-to-read approach, this is an essential textbook for students on renewable energy courses, also environment and sustainability courses. Planners, operators, financers and consultants will find this an excellent manual for planning and realizing climate protection. Furthermore, this book makes great background reading for energy workers, designers, politicians and journalists, and anyone who is interested in the topic of climate change.
Looking for further study? Visit the complimentary website; it hosts many useful related internet sites: www.wiley.com/go/quaschning_renewable
1 Our Hunger for Energy
1.1 Energy Supply-Yesterday and Today
1.2 Energy Needs-Who Needs What, Where and How Much?
1.3 'Anyway' Energy
1.4 Energy Supplies-Wealth Forever
1.5 The End of Fission
1.6 Oil Prices Today-Politics, Supply and Demand
2 The Climate Before the Collapse?
2.1 It Is Getting Warm-Climate Changes Today
2.2 The Guilty Parties-Causes of Climate Change
2.3 Outlook and Recommendations-What Lies Ahead?
2.4 Difficult Birth-Politics and Climate Change
2.5 Self-Help Climate Protection
3 From Wasting Energy to Saving Energy and Reducing Carbon Dioxide
3.1 Less Efficient-Energy Use and Waste Today
3.2 Personal Energy Needs-Easily Saved at Home
3.3 Industry and Co-Everyone Else is to Blame
3.4 The Personal Carbon Dioxide Record
3.5 The Sale of Ecological Indulgences
4 Carbon-Free Energy-Vision or Utopia?
4.1 Options for Carbon-Free Energy Supply
4.2 Renewable Energy Sources-No End to What is Available
4.3 Options for Protecting the Climate
4.4 Reliable Supply Using Renewable Energies
5 Photovoltaics-Energy from Sand
5.1 Structure and Function
5.2 Production of Solar Cells-from Sand to Cell
5.3 Photovoltaic Systems-Networks and Islands
5.4 Planning and Design
5.5. Economics
5.6 Ecology
5.7 Photovoltaic markets
5.8 Outlook and Development Potential
6 Solar Thermal Systems-Year-round Heating from the Sun
6.1 Structure and Functionality
6.2 Solar Collectors- Collecting the Sun
6.3 Solar Thermal Systems
6.4 Planning and Design
6.5 Economics
6.6 Ecology
6.7 Solar Thermal Markets
Outlook and Development Potential
7 Solar Power Plants-Even More Energy from the Sun
7.1 Concentration on the Sun
7.2 Solar Power Plants
7.3 Planning and Design
7.4 Economics
7.5 Ecology
7.6 Solar Power Plant Markets
7.7 Outlook and Development Potential
8 Wind Power Systems-Electricity from Thin Air
8.1 Gone with the Wind-Where the Wind Comes From
8.2 Utilizing Wind
8.3 Installations and Parks
8.4 Planning and Design
8.5 Economics
8.6 Ecology
8.7 Wind Power Markets
8.8 Outlook and Development Potential
9 Hydropower Plants-Wet Energy
9.1 Tapping into the Water Cycle
9.2 Water Turbines
9.3 Hydropower Plants
9.4 Planning and Design
9.5 Economics
9.6 Ecology
9.7 Hydropower markets
9.8 Outlook and Development Potential
10 Geothermal Energy-Power from the Deep
10.1 Tapping into the Earth's Heat
10.2 Geothermal Heat and Power Plants
10.3 Planning and Design
10.4 Economics
10.5 Ecology
10.6 Geothermal markets
10.7 Outlook and Development Potential
11 Heat Pumps-from Cold to Hot
11.1 Heat Sources for Low-Temperature Heat
11.2 Working Principle of Heat Pumps
11.3 Planning and Design
11.4 Economics
11.5 Ecology
11.6 Heat Pump Markets
11.7 Outlook and Development Potential
12 Biomass-Energy from Nature
12.1 Origins and Use of Biomass
12.2 Origins and Use of Biomass
12.3 Biomass Heat and Power Plants
12.4 Biofuels
12.5 Planning and Design
12.6 Economics
12.7 Ecology
12.8 Biomass Markets
12.9 Outlook and Development Potential
13 The Hydrogen Industry and Fuel Cells
13.1 Hydrogen as an Energy Source
13.2 Fuel Cells: Bearers of Hope
13.3 Economics
13.4 Ecology
13.5 Markets, Outlook and Development Potential
14 Sunny Prospects-Examples of Sustainable Energy Supply
14.1 Climate-Compatible Living
14.2 Working and Producing in Compatibility with the Climate
14.3 Climate-Compatible Driving
14.4 Climate-Compatible Travel by Water or Air
14.5 Carbon-Free Electricity for an Island
14.6 All's Well that Ends Well
Appendix
References
Index
