Renewable Energy: Its Physics, Engineering, Use, Environmental Impacts, Economy and Planning Aspects

by Sorensen, Bent

• ISBN13: 9780126561524
• ISBN10: 0126561524
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2000-02-01
• Publisher: Academic Pr

Summary

Renewable Energy, first published by Academic Press in 1979, is considered the foundation text for renewable energy studies worldwide. The first edition addressed graduate students and researchers in an attempt to put renewable energy on the map, academically speaking. In 1979 there were no academic curricula in this field at the university level, so the book was targeted at graduate level students and researchers. Today, the importance of the topic is widely acknowledged. Not only is it taught in engineering, physics and environmental sciences departments, but it is actively researched and studied in many organizations and energy-related industries. The topic of energy policies, where renewable energies play a vital role, is avidly discussed at the scientific and political level. The author has made the Second Edition more accessible to researchers and students approaching the field for the first time. Each chapter has a general introductory section, but is also followed by advanced topics. This gives university lecturers the flexibility to include advanced topics while at the same time allowing researchers to use the book as a reference work. Key Features * Provides the principles of renewable engergy flows/sources and energy conversion processes * Covers the engineering and economic aspects of the field * Outlines the expansion of the field since the publication of the first edition * Remains the most important volume in the field

Author Biography

Bent Sorensen is currently professor of physics at Roskilde University (Denmark) and president of Novator Advanced Technology Consulting

Table of Contents

Preface to second and first editions	v
Contents	ix
Units and Conversion Tables	xv
Perspective	1	(18)
Introduction	1	(15)
The energy scene	1	(2)
Man's energy history	3	(7)
The energy future	10	(6)
Why renewable energy?	16	(3)
The Origin of Renewable Energy Flows	19	(194)
Solar radiation	19	(7)
Energy production in the interior of stars like the Sun	20	(1)
Spectral composition of solar radiation	21	(5)
Net radiation flux at the earth	26	(24)
Radiation at the top of the atmosphere	26	(7)
Radiation at the Earth's surface	33	(17)
Physical and chemical processes near the Earth's surface	50	(73)
The atmosphere	50	(38)
The oceans and continents	88	(29)
The climate	117	(6)
The energy cycle of the Earth	123	(33)
The flows of energy and matter	123	(13)
Climate changes	136	(20)
Origins of stellar energy	156	(22)
Vertical transport in or near the boundary layer	178	(8)
Modelling the atmosphere and the oceans	186	(13)
Tides and waves	199	(11)
Suggested topics for discussion	210	(3)
The Individual Energy Sources	213	(112)
Solar radiation	213	(27)
Direct radiation	213	(5)
Scattered radiation	218	(3)
Total short-wavelength radiation	221	(9)
Long-wavelength radiation	230	(5)
Variability of solar radiation	235	(5)
Wind	240	(19)
Wind velocities	240	(9)
Kinetic energy in the wind	249	(2)
Power in the wind	251	(3)
Variability in wind power	254	(5)
Ocean waves	259	(9)
Wave spectra	260	(4)
Power in the waves	264	(4)
Water flows and tides	268	(13)
Ocean currents	268	(6)
River flows, hydropower and elevated water storage	274	(4)
Tides	278	(3)
Heat flows and stored heat	281	(15)
Solar-derived heat sources	282	(7)
Geothermal flows and stored energy	289	(7)
Biological conversion and storage of energy	296	(18)
Photosynthesis	297	(6)
Productivity in different environments	303	(11)
Other energy sources	314	(9)
Atmospheric electricity	314	(2)
Salinity differences	316	(3)
Nuclear energy	319	(4)
Suggested topics for discussion	323	(2)
The Energy Conversion Processes	325	(194)
Principles of energy conversion	325	(39)
Conversion between energy forms	325	(9)
Thermodynamic engine cycles	334	(3)
Thermoelectric and thermionic conversion	337	(4)
Turbines and other flow-driven converters	341	(5)
Photovoltaic conversion	346	(13)
Electrochemical conversion	359	(5)
Conversion of solar radiation	364	(49)
Heat generation	364	(24)
Applications for cooling, pumping, etc	388	(4)
Electricity generation	392	(21)
Conversion of wind energy	413	(36)
Conversion of wind flow	413	(4)
Propeller-type converters	417	(20)
Cross-wind converters	437	(5)
Augmenters and other ``advanced'' converters	442	(5)
Heat, electrical or mechanical power, and fuel generation	447	(2)
Conversion of wave energy	449	(7)
Pneumatic converter	449	(4)
Oscillating vane converter	453	(3)
Conversion of water flows or elevated water	456	(3)
Conversion of heat	459	(8)
Application to heating	459	(3)
Conversion of heat into work or electricity	462	(5)
Conversion of fuels	467	(4)
Fuel cell technologies	467	(4)
Conversion of biological material	471	(35)
Heat production from biomass	473	(7)
Fuel production from biomass: overview and generation of gaseous fuels	480	(26)
Fuel production from biomass: generation of liquid biofuels	498	(8)
Other conversion processes	506	(3)
Conversion of salinity gradient resources	507	(2)
Energy bands in semiconductors	509	(6)
Suggested topics for discussion	515	(4)
Energy Transmission and Storage	519	(68)
Energy transmission	519	(6)
Transmission of heat	520	(2)
Transmission of electricity	522	(2)
Other types of transmission	525	(1)
Energy storage	525	(60)
Storage of heat	526	(25)
Storage of high-quality energy forms	551	(34)
Suggested topics for discussion	585	(2)
Energy Supply Systems	587	(142)
Energy systems	587	(1)
Simulation of system performance	588	(50)
Treatment of the time variable	588	(3)
Load structure	591	(22)
Source data	613	(2)
Photovoltaic power production	615	(4)
Wind power production	619	(7)
Food production	626	(5)
Biofuel production	631	(5)
System choice	636	(2)
Examples of local system simulations	638	(57)
Solar heat-producing systems	638	(30)
Wind electricity systems	668	(27)
A global energy scenario	695	(29)
Decentralised renewable energy 2050 scenario	696	(9)
Centralised renewable energy 2050 scenario	705	(16)
Implementation and resilience of scenario	721	(3)
Suggested topics for discussion	724	(5)
Socio-economic Assessment of Energy Supply Systems	729	(136)
Framework of socio-economic analysis	729	(10)
Social values and the introduction of monetary Economies	730	(2)
Economic theory	732	(7)
Direct cost evaluation	739	(8)
Treatment of inflation	740	(1)
Present value calculations	741	(1)
Cost profiles and break-even prices	742	(5)
Indirect economics	747	(15)
Resource and environmental management	747	(5)
Regional economy	752	(2)
National economy	754	(6)
World economy	760	(2)
Life-cycle analysis	762	(89)
Defining purpose and scope of LCA	763	(3)
Treatment of import and export	766	(4)
What to include in an LCA?	770	(5)
Choosing the context	775	(1)
Aggregation issues	776	(6)
Monetising issues	782	(3)
Chain calculations	785	(4)
Matrix calculations	789	(3)
Communicating with decision-makers	792	(4)
Application of life-cycle analysis	796	(1)
LCA of greenhouse gas emissions	796	(13)
LCA of power production chains	809	(25)
LCA of energy systems	834	(17)
Examples of break-even price estimations	851	(12)
Wind power system without energy storage	851	(7)
Energy systems with storage	858	(5)
Suggested topics for discussion	863	(2)
Winding Up	865	(3)
References	868	(32)
Subject Index	900