Renewable Energy and Climate Change, 2nd Edition

Provides clear analysis on the development potentials and practical realization of solar, wind, wave, and geothermal renewable energy technologies

Presented as a clear introduction to the topics of climate protection and renewable energy, this book demonstrates the correlations between use of energy, energy prices, and climate change. It evaluates and analyzes the current world situation (drawing on examples given from countries across the globe), whilst also giving essential and practical guidance on 'personal' climate protection. Each major type of renewable energy system is covered in detail and with an easy-to-read approach, making it an ideal manual for planning and realizing climate protection and renewable energy systems, while also being an informative textbook for those studying renewable energy and environment and sustainability courses.

Renewable Energy and Climate Change, 2nd Edition starts by examining our hunger for energy--how much we need, how much we use, and how much it is costing us. It then looks at the state of climate change today and the causes. Following that, the book focuses on how we waste and save energy. The remaining chapters look at the many alternative sources of energy generation, like photovoltaics, solar thermal systems and power plants, wind power systems, hydropower plants, and geothermal power. The book also delves into current state of biomass energy and the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. It finishes with a look at the future of the subject, shining a light on some positive examples of sustainable energy.

• Clear overview on each state-of-the-art technology in alternative energy production

• Presents correlations between use of energy and energy prices, and climate change

• Provides guidance on what the reader can do to reduce their own energy waste

• Full-color figures and photographs throughout, data diagrams and simple calculations and results, and text boxes that highlight important information

• International examples of renewable energy in action

Renewable Energy and Climate Change, 2nd Edition is an excellent text for students and professionals studying or working on renewable energy, or environmental and sustainability alternatives. It will also benefit planners, operators, financers, and consultants in those fields.

Auteur
Volker Quaschning, PhD, is a Professor for renewable energy systems at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences HTW Berlin and spokesman for the renewable energy program. He has produced hundreds of journal papers, conference papers, lectures, talks, and interviews on radio and television, and has also published 5 books. Translated by Herbert Eppel at HE Translations, Leicester, UK (https://HETranslations.uk) DISCLAIMER: By including the link to this site, this does not mean the site is endorsed by Wiley

Texte du rabat

PROVIDES CLEAR ANALYSIS ON THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALS AND PRACTICAL REALIZATION OF SOLAR, WIND, WAVE, AND GEOTHERMAL RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES Presented as a clear introduction to the topics of climate protection and renewable energy, this book demonstrates the correlations between use of energy, energy prices, and climate change. It evaluates and analyzes the current world situation (drawing on examples given from countries across the globe), whilst also giving essential and practical guidance on 'personal' climate protection. Each major type of renewable energy system is covered in detail and with an easy-to-read approach, making it an ideal manual for planning and realizing climate protection and renewable energy systems, while also being an informative textbook for those studying renewable energy and environment and sustainability courses. Renewable Energy and Climate Change, 2nd Edition starts by examining our hunger for energyhow much we need, how much we use, and how much it is costing us. It then looks at the state of climate change today and the causes. Following that, the book focuses on how we waste and save energy. The remaining chapters look at the many alternative sources of energy generation, like photovoltaics, solar thermal systems and power plants, wind power systems, hydropower plants, and geothermal power. The book also delves into the current state of biomass energy and the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. It finishes with a look at the future of the subject, shining a light on some positive examples of sustainable energy.

• Clear overview on each state-of-the-art technology in alternative energy production
• Presents correlations between use of energy and energy prices, and climate change
• Provides guidance on what the reader can do to reduce their own energy waste
• Full-color figures and photographs throughout, data diagrams and simple calculations and results, and text boxes that highlight important information
• International examples of renewable energy in action Renewable Energy and Climate Change, 2nd Edition is an excellent text for students and professionals studying or working on renewable energy, or environmental and sustainability alternatives. It will also benefit planners, operators, financers, and consultants in those fields.

Contenu
Preface to First Edition xi

Preface to the Second Edition xiii

1 Our Hunger for Energy 1

1.1 Energy Supply Yesterday and Today 2

1.1.1 From the French Revolution to the Early Twentieth Century 2

1.1.2 The Era of Black Gold 4

1.1.3 Natural Gas The Newest Fossil Energy Source 7

1.1.4 Nuclear Power Split Energy 8

1.1.5 The Century of Fossil Energy 12

1.1.6 The Renewables Century 13

1.2 Energy Needs Who Needs What, Where, and How Much? 14

1.3 'Anyway' Energy 17

1.4 Energy Reserves Wealth for a Time 20

1.4.1 Non-Conventional Reserves Prolongation of the Oil Age 21

1.4.2 An End in Sight 22

1.4.3 The End of Fission 24

1.5 High Energy Prices the Key to Climate Protection 24

2 The Climate Before the Collapse 27

2.1 It Is Getting Warm Climate Changes Today 27

2.1.1 Accelerated Ice Melt 27

2.1.2 More Frequent Natural Catastrophes 30

2.2 The Guilty Parties Causes of Climate Change 33

2.2.1 The Greenhouse Effect 33

2.2.2 The Prime Suspect: Carbon Dioxide 34

2.2.3 Other Culprits 38

2.3 Outlook and Recommendations What Lies Ahead? 40

2.3.1 Will it Be Bitterly Cold in Europe? 43

2.3.2 Recommendations for Effective Climate Protection 45

2.4 A Difficult Birth Politics and Climate Change 48

2.4.1 German Climate Policy 48

2.4.2 International Climate Policy 49

2.5 Self-Help Climate Protection 51

3 From Wasting Energy to Saving Energy and Reducing Carbon Dioxide 53

3.1 Inefficiency 53

3.2 Personal Energy Needs Savings at Home 56

3.2.1 Domestic Electricity Money Wasted 56

3.2.2 Heat Surviving the Winter with Almost No Heating 60

3.2.3 Transport Getting Somewhere Using Less Energy 64

3.3 Industry and Commerce Everyone Else is to Blame 66

3.4 Your Personal Carbon Dioxide Balance 67

3.4.1 Emissions Caused Directly by One's Own Activities 67

3.4.2 Indirect Emissions 68

3.4.3 Total Emissions 71

3.5 The Sale of Ecological Indulgences 71

4 'Energiewende' (Energy Transition) The Way to a Better Future? 75

4.1 Coal and Nuclear Power Plants Crutch Instead of Bridge 75

4.1.1 Energy and Automotive Companies Have Bet on the Wrong Horse 76

4.1.2 Lignite A Climate Killer Made in Germany 78

4.1.3 Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Out of Sight, Out of Mind 81

4.1.4 Nuclear Power Comeback Was Not a Radiant Success 83

4.2 Efficiency and CHP A Good Double for Starters 84

4.2.1 Combined Heat and Power Using Fuel Twice 84

4.2.2 Saving Energy Achieving More with Less 85

4.3 Renewables Energy Without End 87

4.4 Germany Is Becoming Renewable 88

4.4.1 All Sectors Are Important 89

4.4.2 Energy Transition in the Heat Sector 90…