3GE Collection on Environmental Science: Renewable Energy

The production of clean energy is at the heart of world’s desires for a better future. Moving from fossil fuels to renewable sources such as solar and wind energy is vital to achieving social, economic and environmental development. The view of producing clean, sustainable power from renewable energy sources is gaining much interest, stimulated by recent technological developments that have improved the cost-effectiveness of many renewables and by the increasing concern for the environmental impact and sustainability of conventional fossil and nuclear fuels. It will change the lives of 1.2 billion people who struggle through life with no electricity. It will create new jobs and commercial opportunities. And it will slash the air pollution that claims millions of lives each year. The sustainable change would be a good example for implementing rooftop solar, especially in low-income communities. Apart from the environmental benefits, sustainable energy technologies can boost the socioeconomic level of developing countries. Other advantages may be the continuous supply of energy and creation of new job opportunities. Moreover, sustainable renewable energy sources such as the wind could be employed for generating electricity to operate water purification systems in remote areas. This, in result, would overcome the health problems associated with drinking water scarcity problems.

This book is an attempt to cover the sustainable energy issues from a technical perspective. Newer and environmentally friendly technologies are able to provide different social and environmental benefits such as employment and decent environment. Renewable energy technologies are crucial contributors to world energy security, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and provides opportunities for mitigating greenhouse gases. This book includes solar energy, wind energy, biofuels, energy management and efficiency, optimization of renewable energy systems and much more. Additionally, the book presents the physical and technical principles of promising ways of utilizing renewable energies.