TY  - BOOK
AU  - Nelson,Vaughn
TI  - Introduction to renewable energy
T2  - Energy and the environment
SN  - 9781439834497
AV  - TJ808 .N46 2011
U1  - 621.042 22
PY  - 2011///
CY  - Boca Raton, FL
PB  - CRC Press
KW  - Renewable energy sources
N1  - Includes bibliographical references and index; Introduction -- Energy -- Sun -- Heat transfer and storage -- Solar heating and cooling -- Photovoltaics -- Concentrating solar power -- Solar systems -- Wind energy -- Bioenergy -- Geothermal energy -- Water -- Storage -- Institutional issues -- Economics
N2  - As the world population grows and places more demand on limited fossil fuels, renewable energy becomes more relevant as part of the solution to the impending energy dilemma. Renewable energy is now included in national policies, with goals for it to be a significant percentage of generated energy within the coming decades. A comprehensive overview, Introduction to Renewable Energy explores how we can use the sun, wind, biomass, geothermal resources, and water to generate more sustainable energy. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, the book integrates economic, social, environmental, policy, and engineering issues related to renewable energy. It explains the fundamentals of energy, including the transfer of energy, as well as the limitations of natural resources. Starting with solar power, the text illustrates how energy from the sun is transferred and stored; used for heating, cooling, and lighting; collected and concentrated; and converted into electricity. A chapter describes residential power usage--including underground and off-grid homes--and houses that are designed to use energy more efficiently or to be completely self-sufficient. Other chapters cover wind power; bioenergy, including biofuel; and geothermal heat pumps; as well as hydro, tidal, and ocean energy. Describing storage as a billion-dollar idea, the book discusses the challenges of storing energy and gives an overview of technologies from flywheels to batteries. It also examines institutional issues such as environmental regulations, incentives, infrastructure, and social costs and benefits. Emphasizing the concept of life-cycle cost, the book analyzes the costs associated with different sources of energy. -- Product Description
ER  -