Solar, water and wind power represent the most promising, as well as the most powerful, sources of renewable energy. These energy sources flow around us constantly, as sunlight falls upon the Earth's surface; as rivers flow to the sea and the tides rise and fall and the surface of the ocean perpetually moves up and down in waves; and as the wind blows over the Earth’s surface. Continue reading "Renewable Energy: Solar, Water and Wind Power" article »
The books selected below provide an introduction to policy and economic issues concerning renewable energy generation projects, technological developments affecting solar, water and wind power; history of the growth of these alternative energies; and small-scale applications accessible to the average citizen who is interested in going “off the grid.”
This is a nontechnical reference and guide for homeowners thinking about pulling the plug on their utility connections. The book contains appendices to help the reader decide whether photovoltaic panel installation makes sense geographically and financially and which states offer rebates or incentives. A helpful resource. 2005, PixyJack Press
Now the critical information to successfully design, install and maintain photovoltaic (PV) systems is available. This book contains an overview of PV electricity and a detailed description of PV system components, including PV modules, batteries, controllers and inverters. It includes chapters on sizing photovoltaic systems, analyzing sites and installing PV systems, as well as detailed appendices on PV system maintenance. 2004, New Society Publishers
Scheer maintains that a rapid shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, centered on solar energy, is humanity's #1 priority. He masterfully critiques the fossil fuel status quo and outlines what needs to be done in this powerful, technically-based, yet compelling manifesto for change. He points out that solar and other renewable energies are more expensive than fossil fuels only because fossil fuels are subsidized and environmental costs are not considered. He points out that solar energy is available virtually everywhere on earth, no long supply chain needed. A powerful argument for clean, renewable, sustainable solar energy. 2002, Earthscan Publications
In this aptly titled book, Scheer attacks the lack of political will to find answers outside of the conventional frame of reference. Climate change, pollution, deforestation, destruction of the ozone layer, poverty, and the population explosion are all problems created or exacerbated by the use of conventional energy. Scheer shows that this crisis may yet be reversed but that this can only happen through a fundamental change in political and economic strategies, paving the way gowards a global solar energy economy sustained by new social principles. 2005, Earthscan Publications
In Solar Revolution, fund manager and former corporate buyout specialist Travis Bradford argues - on the basis of standard business and economic forecasting models - that over the next two decades solar energy will increasingly become the best and cheapest choice for most electricity and energy applications. This book outlines the path by which the transition to solar technology and sustainable energy practices will occur. 2006, The MIT Press
Environmental activists Berman and O'Connor offer a scathing critique of politicians, utility companies and even many mainstream environmental groups who have failed to show leadership or have been openly hostile to solar possibilities. The authors argue convincingly that the impediment to widespread adoption of environmentally friendly energy sources is no longer technological but rather the fear that private utility companies' profit margins will suffer. 1997, Chelsea Green Publishing
This comprehensive overview of tidal-electric power generation guides the user in evaluating the feasibility of a proposed location for power generation. It includes major factors to consider in selecting a site; tidal power schemes; predicting the estuary's response to the proposed installation; procedures to optimize plant output; and environmental impact of proposed construction and operation. The book also includes an examination of commercially operating plants and a brief review of sites that have been the subject of investigation for potential installations. 2007, Wiley
Hydroelectricity is the world's largest - and cleanest - source of renewable energy. But despite lively interest in renewables generally, there is an information vacuum about the smallest version of the technology dubbed "the simplest, most reliable and least expensive way to generate power off grid." Highly illustrated and practical, Microhydro covers both AC and DC systems, including principles, design and site considerations, equipment options, and legal, environmental, and economic factors. 2004, New Society Publishers
Telling the story of UK wave power research and development, Ross shares his vision of wave power as a major source of renewable energy. He explains the technology involved in capturing the energy of the waves and describes the historical and political development of this technology. This book provides a unique insight into the issues of the technological decision-making process and shows the difficulty of persuading decision-makers to take "hidden" environmental costs into account as they tally up the costs of energy generated from renewable sources. 1996, Oxford University Press
Energy entrepreneur Jim Gordon had a bold idea: plant 130 wind turbines in Nantucket Sound to take advantage of the steady winds. The project stirred up world-class NIMBY responses from the money residents of this offshore enclave. Senator Ted Kennedy, environmentalist Robert Kennedy Jr., Listerine heiress Bunny Mellon and coal, oil and gas magnate William Koch were stubbornly opposed to the project that could affect the views from their estates. This true-life tale of political struggle between those proposing alternative energy projects and landowners and politicians is a harbinger of future conflicts as we reluctantly consider alternatives to oil. 2007, PublicAffairs
Journalist Peter Asmus tells the fascinating and convoluted history of commercial wind power in the United States. He introduces readers to maverick scientists and technologists who labored in obscurity, to entrepreneurs and visionary capitalists who believed that a centuries-old idea could be made feasible in the modern world, and to enterprising financial advisors and investors who sought to exploit the last great tax shelter in federal history. From the solitary windmill standing sentry over a rural homestead to the sleek machinery of a modern wind farm, this is the story of the development of commercial wind power. 2000, Island Press
The wind power industry has been transformed in the 1990s by dramatic breakthroughs in efficiency, economy, and adaptability. This book includes the unique "standard small wind turbine rating" developed by the author, which is designed to help readers wade through conflicting performance claims by manufacturers. Also included is detailed information on planning, siting, and installing a wind system, and on integrating wind power with solar for more cost-effective and reliable off-the-grid applications. 1999, Chelsea Green Publishing
This book covers all the major aspects of wind energy as a power generation resource, including turbine design and performance, analysis of wind regimes, environmental cost vs. benefit analysis of wind energy; design and siting of wind energy conversion systems, and the economics of wind energy. The author emphasizes wind resource analysis and related economic decision-making. 2006, Springer
Wind energy has become the world's fastest growing energy source. This Handbook provides a comprehensive treatment of wind energy for electricity generation. It includes an overview of wind turbine technology and wind farm design; examination of the aerodynamics and performance of land-based wind turbines; description of the wind resource, including wind speed variables and turbulence; wind farm siting constraints; assessment of environmental impact of wind farms; and integration of wind farms into the electrical power system. 2001, Wiley
Righter tells the story of the development of systems to harness wind energy, beginning in the Middle Ages. Of particular interest is the history of the American windmill pioneers form the 1920s to the 1950s who designed both for pumping water from the ground and for generating electricity. He explores the early struggles to bring wind power electrical generation to commercial viability, and the continuing political struggles between fossil-fueled utilities and energy innovators. 1996, University of Oklahoma Press
Wind energy is the great success story of modern renewable energy. Since the industry's rebirth following the energy crisis of the 1970s, thousands of wind energy projects have been installed around the world. The technology today is competitive with traditional fosil-fueled electricity generation. Wind Energy in the 21st Century explores the current economic, financial, technical, environmental, competitive, and policy considerations facing the wind energy industry, as well as the latest electricity industry trends including deregulation, green markets, and tradable renewable credits. 2001, Palgrave Macmillan
