Professor Stephen Peake takes us on a guided tour of the ten most essential aspects of this timely and fast-moving science, examining the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy that lies at the heart of a brighter climate future.

Renewable energy is central to managing climate change and our transition to a sustainable energy supply for the 10 billion of us who will populate the earth by 2050. But how will we cope without fossil fuels to heat, cool and light our buildings, power our industry and run our transport systems? And are some renewables better than others? 10 Short Lessons in Renewable Energy distils the key issues of this timely subject, examining how we can harness the power of a range of groundbreaking energy technologies most effectively to achieve a sustainable energy future.

About the series: The Pocket Einstein series is a collection of essential pocket-sized guides for anyone looking to understand a little more about some of the most important and fascinating areas of science in the twenty-first century. Broken down into ten simple lessons and written by leading experts in their field, discover the ten most important takeaways from those areas of science you've always wanted to know more about.

Solar electricity or photovoltaics (PV) is the world's fastest growing energy technology. It can be used on a wide variety of scales, from single dwellings to utility-scale solar farms providing power for whole communities. It can be integrated into existing electricity grids with relative simplicity, meaning that in times of low solar energy users can continue to draw power from the grid, while power can be fed or sold back into the grid at a profit when their electricity generation exceeds the amount they are using. The falling price of the equipment combined with various incentive schemes around the world have made PV into a lucrative low carbon investment, and as such demand has never been higher for the technology, and for people with the expertise to design and install systems.

This Expert handbook provides a clear introduction to solar radiation, before proceeding to cover:

• electrical basics and PV cells and modules
• inverters
• design of grid-connected PV systems
• system installation and commissioning
• maintenance and trouble shooting
• health and safety
• economics and marketing.

Highly illustrated in full colour throughout, this is the ideal guide for electricians, builders and architects, housing and property developers, home owners and DIY enthusiasts, and anyone who needs a clear introduction to grid-connected solar electric technology.

This book is intended for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners interested in the dynamics and governance of low-carbon transitions. Drawing on the Multi-Level Perspective, it develops a whole system reconfiguration approach that explains how the incorporation of multiple innovations can cumulatively reconfigure existing systems. The book focuses on UK electricity, heat, and mobility systems, and it systematically analyses interactions between radical niche-innovations and existing (sub)systems across techno-economic, policy, and actor dimensions in the past three decades. Comparative analysis explains why the unfolding low-carbon transitions in these three systems vary in speed, scope, and depth. It evaluates to what degree these transitions qualify as Great Reconfigurations and assesses the future potential for, and barriers to, deeper low-carbon system transitions. Generalising across these systems, broader lessons are developed about the roles of incumbent firms, governance and politics, user engagement, wider public, and civil society organisations. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

The wind power business has grown from a niche sector within the energy industry to a global industry that attracts substantial investment. In Europe wind has become the biggest source of new power generation capacity, while also successfully competing with the gas, coal and nuclear sectors in China and the US. Wind Power looks at the nations, companies and people fighting for control of one of the world's fastest growing new industries and how we can harness one of the planet's most powerful energy resources. The book examines the challenges the sector faces as it competes for influence and investment with the fossil fuel industry across the globe. Over the course of this volume, Backwell analyses the industry climbers, the investment trends and the technological advancements that will define the future of wind energy. This second edition is revised throughout and contains new material on frontier wind markets and industry consolidation, as well as the cost reductions and market gains that led to 2015 being a landmark year for the big wind turbine companies. This is an important resource for professionals working in wind and wider renewable industries, energy finance, conventional energy companies and government as well as researchers, students, journalists and the general public.

Today, the energy sources used to create electricity differ in many ways, including in their environmental impacts. In the United States, electricity is most often generated using fossil or nuclear fuels -- forms of power generation that can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment through air emissions and other problems. Despite advances in pollution controls over the last 30 years, this conventional power generation is still the nation's single largest source of industrial air pollution and is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity markets now offer cleaner ways of producing power, however, and give many consumers the ability to choose how their power is generated. One of these choices is power from renewable sources, or "green power". This book is a guide to purchasing green power and a summary of federal renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.

Hydrogen could be a significant fuel of the future, with the potential to make a major contribution to the resolution of pressing social and environmental problems such as carbon emissions, energy security and local air pollution. This book, based on four years of detailed research, subjects the promise and potential of hydrogen to searching, in-depth socio-economic analysis. It discusses the different technologies for the production, distribution, storage and use of hydrogen, and analyzes the economics of these technologies and their current market prospects. It also describes various experiences with aspects of a hydrogen economy in two parts of the world - the UK and Canada - and then assesses the nature of different hydrogen futures that might develop depending on how the technology, economics, social acceptance and policy frameworks play out in different contexts. The book ends by setting out the policy drivers and levers which could stimulate a virtuous circle of research and development, innovation and investment that might ultimately generate a sustainable hydrogen economy. This is essential reading for economists, engineers, business leaders, investors, policy makers, researchers and students who are interested in the future of the energy system and the part that hydrogen might play in it.

Insane Mode is the astounding story of the most revolutionary car company since Ford, revealing how, under Elon Musk's leadership, it is bringing to an end the era of gasoline-powered transportation.

Hamish McKenzie, journalist and former writer for Tesla, explores how an unlikely West Coast start-up with an audacious dream to create a new successful US car company, went up against not only the might of the government-backed Detroit companies, but also the massive power of Big Oil. Insane Mode is a story of ingenuity and revolution - of how a new world of transportation could change people's lives globally.

This unique book offers an introduction to the development of renewable energy in Australia in the early 2000s. Examining the rise of dispersed, embedded solar energy systems in Western Australia, it looks specifically at the Solex project in Carnarvon, WA, which pioneered the harvest of solar energy from what was once considered the pursuit of the lunatic fringes of society to a viable energy source for mainstream society and industry. In this fascinating case study Fullarton shows how a practical demonstration of innovative existing technology can have an incredible impact on a national scale. The ideas behind the Solex project slowly became adopted by the broader community and were eventually taken up enthusiastically by the general population of Australia. Analysing government and utility policies throughout the 2000s, the book traces how ambivalence was followed by whole-hearted incentives to the roll-out of alternative energy and subsequent active opposition to alternative energy in favour of traditional fossil fuel as government philosophies changed.

New and Future Developments in Microbial Biotechnology and Bioengineering: From Cellulose to Cellulase: Strategies to Improve Biofuel Production outlines new methods for the industrial production of the cellulose enzyme. The book compares the various processes for the production of biofuels, including the cost of cellulose production and availability. Biofuels are considered to be the main alternatives to fossil fuels in reducing environmental pollution and climate change. Currently, all existing biofuel production is suffering because of the high costs of production processes. As a result, cost effective practical implementation is needed to make this a viable energy alternative.

The Collection embraces Structural Dynamics and Renewable Energy into more than 50 categories, including Shock and Vibration, Damping in Solids, Nonlinear Modeling, Structural Health Modeling, Structural Dynamics, and Rotating Machinery. This the first volume of the five-volume set brings together 34 chapters on Structural Dynamics and Renewable Energy.

Discover a straightforward and holistic look at energy conversion and conservation processes using the exergy concept with this thorough text. Explains the fundamental energy conversion processes in numerous diverse systems, ranging from jet engines and nuclear reactors to human bodies. Provides examples for applications to practical energy conversion processes and systems that use our naturally occurring energy resources, such as fossil fuels, solar energy, wind, geothermal, and nuclear fuels. With more than one-hundred diverse cases and solved examples, readers will be able to perform optimizations for a cleaner environment, a sustainable energy future, and affordable energy generation. An essential tool for practicing scientists and engineers who work or do research in the area of energy and exergy, as well as graduate students and faculty in chemical engineering, mechanical engineering and physics.

The new edition of this thoroughly considered textbook provides a reliable, accessible and comprehensive guide for students of photovoltaic applications and renewable energy engineering. Written by a group of award-winning authors it is brimming with information and is carefully designed to meet the needs of its readers. Along with exercises and references at the end of each chapter, it features a set of detailed technical appendices that provide essential equations, data sources and standards. The new edition has been fully updated with the latest information on photovoltaic cells, modules, applications and policy. Starting from basics with 'The Characteristics of Sunlight' the reader is guided step-by-step through semiconductors and p-n junctions; the behaviour of solar cells; cell properties and design; and PV cell interconnection and module fabrication. The book covers stand-alone photovoltaic systems; specific purpose photovoltaic systems; remote area power supply systems; grid-connected photovoltaic systems and water pumping. Applied Photovoltaics is highly illustrated and very accessible, providing the reader with all the information needed to start working with photovoltaics.

Clean Energy for Sustainable Development: Comparisons and Contrasts of New Approaches presents information on the fundamental challenge that the energy sector faces with regard to meeting the ever growing demand for sustainable, efficient, and cleaner energy. The book compares recent developments in the field of energy technology, clean and low emission energy, and energy efficiency and environmental sustainability for industry and academia. Rasul, Azad and Sharma, along with their team of expert contributors, provide high-end research findings on relevant industry themes, including clean and sustainable energy sources and technologies, renewable energy technologies and their applications, biomass and biofuels for sustainable environment, energy system and efficiency improvement, solar thermal applications, and the environmental impacts of sustainable energy systems. This book uses global institutes and case studies to explore and analyze technological advancements alongside practical applications. This approach helps readers to develop and affirm a better understanding of the relevant concepts and solutions necessary to achieve clean energy and sustainable development in both medium and large-scale industries.

Urban DC Microgrid: Intelligent Control and Power Flow Optimization focuses on microgrids for urban areas, particularly associated with building-integrated photovoltaic and renewable sources. This book describes the most important problems of DC microgrid application, with grid-connected and off-grid operating modes, aiming to supply DC building distribution networks. The book considers direct current (DC) microgrid to supply DC building distribution networks for positive energy buildings; dynamic interactions with the utility grid based on communication with the smart grid; supervisory control systems; and energy management. The global power system is exposed and the DC microgrid system is presented and analyzed with results and discussion, highlighting both the advantages and limitations of the concept. Coverage at the system level of microgrid control as well as the various technical aspects of the power system components make this a book interesting to academic researchers, industrial energy researchers, electrical power and power system professionals.

Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are two proposed investment vehicles that have the potential to lower the high cost of capital for renewable energy assets -- a critical factor in the U.S. Department of Energy's goal for renewable energy to achieve grid-parity with traditional sources of electric generation. Due to current U.S. federal income tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations, REITs and MLPs cannot finance a significant portion of the cost of renewable energy assets. Topics discussed in this compilation include the opportunities and potential complications for renewable energy with the master limited partnerships and real estate investment trusts; the technical qualifications for treating photovoltaic assets as real property by real estate investment trusts; master limited partnerships parity act; and master limited partnerships as an option for the renewable energy industry.

The Common Concern of Humankind today is central to efforts to bring about enhanced international cooperation in fields including, but not limited to, climate change. This book explores the expression's potential as a future legal principle. It sets out the origins of Common Concern, its differences to other common interest legal principles, and expounds the potential normative structure and effects of the principle, applying an approach of carrots and sticks in realizing goals defined as a Common Concern. Individual chapters test the principle in different legal fields, including climate technology diffusion, marine plastic pollution, human rights enforcement, economic inequality, migration, and monetary and financial stability. They confirm that basic obligations under the principle of 'Common Concern of Humankind' comprise not only that of international cooperation and duties to negotiate, but also of unilateral duties to act to enhance the potential of public international law to produce appropriate public goods.

Pressing economic, energy security, and environmental concerns are driving rapid growth in global investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and other clean energy technologies. The U.S. government has an unparalleled opportunity to join forces with the private sector, international institutions, and other countries to accelerate this global clean energy market transformation and capture vital domestic benefits. This book examines how U.S. international clean energy leadership can produce enormous benefits domestically and internationally.

The European Union is poised to establish a genuine European Energy Union with the new powers conferred on it by the Lisbon Treaty. Since 2014, it has been developing and implementing an energy strategy that responds to the three overarching priorities of climate change, political security, and economic competitiveness by 2030. The European Energy Union aims to provide secure, sustainable and affordable energy throughout the cycle of production, transport and consumption. This book outlines the legal regime underpinning this regulatory strategy, which integrates EU law with international law and with the law of the member states and affiliated states. It analyses and explains the increasing interaction between these legal orders in achieving the shared objective of transforming the European and global energy systems. This book will appeal to scholars and students of energy law and policy at both European and international levels.

The 'Hydrogen Economy' is very broad subject ranging from the potential use of hydrogen for domestic use to the mass production of hydrogen replacing coal, natural gas (LNG) and conventional transport fuels.For any given project, there are many alternatives to consider for each stage of making, storing and transporting hydrogen. The book aims to assist proponents, and financiers of hydrogen projects to identify the optimum alternatives and identify hurdles and approaches to overcome them. This book attempts to describe an optimum approach to implement and its cost. It sets out to identify hurdles to implementation which may not be apparent to those entering the field for the first time.The book covers the various means and costs of production from fossil fuels (with carbon capture) - blue hydrogen - electrolysis - green hydrogen - or biomass. The book covers hydrogen storage as liquid or compressed gas and transport, through pipelines as liquid or by an intermediary fluid such as ammonia or a hydrocarbon. The book also discusses the production and costs of hydrogen delivery at the user end of a logistics chain. It also compares the relative energy value of energy delivered hydrogen versus the current suite of conventional fuels.

Renewable energy is gaining currency around the globe, but China and the United States are central to its development. They are the world's top-two countries in terms of energy consumption, net oil imports, and carbon emissions, as well as gross domestic product (GDP) and manufacturing. Their large territories harbor some of the best sites to generate renewable energy. If the United States and China cooperateand competeeffectively, renewable energy can contribute to economic growth, energy security, and climate change mitigation. The past two years saw important developments, including a bilateral agreement to phase down hydrofluorocarbon emissions and a joint announcement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. China is often touted for its rapid adoption of renewable energy technologies. Long-term industry plans and new legislation suggest Beijing will maintain this policy direction, in line with its overall expansion of energy production capacity. In the United States, by contrast, renewable energy is a divisive issue. There are disagreements about how, if at all, the government should support alternative energy sources when natural gas is abundant, emissions are declining, and energy demand is slowing. This book assesses recent developments in China's wind and solar industries and the implications for the United States. It builds on the Commission's past work on U.S.-China energy issues, including the April 2014 hearing on bilateral clean energy cooperation. The research also draws on Congressional testimonies, academic papers, industry and media reports, and statistical data. The report's main themes and findings are outlined below.

This book covers the entire spectrum of energy management . This spans from the overview of national and specific ideas and issues pertaining to energy conservation and management. It also covers and billing. This volume also touches upon the concepts and principles of energy security, energy trading and energy economics. It also provides brief overview of alternative or renewable energy sources.

Going green is both a corporate advantage and an opportunity for humanity to enable change. The four pillars of green energy are green power, green fuels and transport, green buildings and green IT. Green energy describes sources of energy that are considered to be environmentally friendly and non-polluting, such as geothermal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric. Sometimes nuclear power is also considered a green energy source. Green energy sources are often considered 'green' because they are perceived to lower carbon emissions and create less pollution. Green energy is commonly thought of in the context of electricity, heating and cogeneration. This handbook provides an unparalleled introductory overview of green energy as a subject area. The green energy concepts are discussed in detail including that of energy economics and energy accounting. The handbook gives readers holistic global, regional and national perspectives and trends on green energy. The green energy policies of Africa, green energy in Portugal, Honduras, Finland, Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Canada. The issues related to energy efficiency, cleanliness and conservation are highlighted. The handbook also covers the global agenda of recycled energy and energy from waste. The importance of energy quality and having the alternative energy index is analysed in detail. This handbook will be very useful for the industry sector, the finance sector, the policy-makers, the scientists, the decision-makers, the buyers and sellers in green energy markets. This handbook will help develop and drive new initiatives, provide insights, showcase sustainable product development and green business opportunities in order to elicit practical applications that are most relevant for India and rest of the world at this juncture of global climate change.

Shortlisted for the Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year Award, and one of The Observer's 'Thirty books to help us understand the world'. Are we really to blame for the climate crisis? Over 70 per cent of global emissions come from the same 100 organisations, but fossil-fuel companies have taken no responsibility themselves. Instead, they have waged a 30-year campaign to blame individuals. The result has been disastrous for our planet. In The New Climate War, renowned scientist Michael E. Mann argues that all is not lost. He draws the battle lines between the people and the polluters - fossil-fuel companies, right-wing plutocrats, and petro-states - and outlines a plan for forcing our governments and corporations to wake up and make real change.