Completely revised and updated with a new chapter on future possibilities Comprehensive coverage of available renewable technologies starting from basic scientific and engineering principles Compares and contrasts renewable technologies against each other and existing non-renewables like fossil fuels & nuclear power Addresses new developments in topics such as climate change mitigation, solar photovoltaic lighting, electricity grids, small-scale batteries, electric vehicles and bio-fuels

Renewable Energy Resources is a numerate and quantitative text. It covers the many renewables technologies implemented worldwide by harnessing sustainable resources, mitigating pollution and climate change, and providing cost effective services.

This fourth edition is extensively updated by John Twidell with global developments as underpinned by fundamental analysis and illustrated by case studies and worked examples. Efficiency of end-use and cost-effectiveness is emphasized. Each chapter begins with fundamental scientific theory, and then considers applications, environmental impact and socio-economic aspects, before concluding with Quick Questions for self-revision, Problems and new Exercises. Basic theory underlying the technologies is covered in succinct Reviews of electrical power, fluid dynamics, heat transfer and solid-state physics. Common symbols and cross-referencing apply throughout; essential data are tabulated in Appendices.

Renewable Energy Resources supports multidisciplinary master’s degrees in science and engineering, and specialist modules at undergraduate level. Practicing scientists and engineers will find it a useful introductory text and reference book.

Table of Contents

1. Principles of renewable energy

2. Solar radiation characteristics and impacts: including the greenhouse effect

3. Solar water heating

4. Other solar thermal applications

5. Photovoltaic (PV) power technology

6. Hydropower

7. Wind resource

8. Wind power technology

9. Biomass resources from photosynthesis

10. Bioenergy technologies

11. Wave power

12. Tidal-current and tidal-range power

13. Ocean gradient energy: OTEC and osmotic power

14. Geothermal energy

15. Energy systems: integration, distribution and storage

16. Solar-buildings and efficient energy use; including transportation, manufacture and homes

17. Institutional and economic factors

Review 1. Electrical power for renewables

Review 2. Essentials of fluid dynamics

Review 3. Heat transfer

Review 4. Solid-state physics for photovoltaics

Appendices

App A Units and conversions

App B Data and fundamental constants

App C Some heat transfer formulas

Answers to the Exercises at the end of chapters and reviews

Short answers to selected Problems at end of chapters /

This enterprising book was intended as a practical guide to wind-energy generators up to 100 kW rated capacity. Very small machines such as battery chargers are included, though the main emphasis is on the 20 kW to 100 kW range. Wind-energy conversion systems are being purchased in increasing numbers in the UK. At the time of publication, they were used mainly in remote and island installations (especially on farms) to reduce dependence on conventional fuels such as oil and bottled gas. But the book was not just a practical handbook for those who already had a machine; it supplied sufficient information to allow potential purchasers to decide whether the installation of such a generator would be cost-effective in their own particular circumstances.