Electric Charge

Electric Charge   The simplest electrical phenomenon is static electricity, the temporary “charging” of certain objects when they are rubbed against each other. Run a comb through your hair when it’s dry, and the hair and comb begin to attract each other, indicating that they are charged. Other familiar examples include clothes sticking together in the dryer, and the sudden shock that you sometimes get when shaking someone’s hand after...

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System Cost and Performance

System Cost and Performance 1. Recent progress in Renewable Energy System Cost and Performance As previously described there has been significant progress in cost reduction made by wind and PV systems, while biomass, geothermal, and solar thermal technologies are also experiencing cost reductions, and these are forecast to continue. Figure 8 presents forecasts made by the U.S. DOE for the capital costs of these technologies, from 1997 to 2030. 2. Lessons Learned in Developing Countries In developing nations, renewable energy technologies...

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Hydropower

Hydropower 1. Introduction Hydropower is the largest renewable resource used for electricity. It plays an essential role in many regions of the world with more than 150 countries generating hydroelectric power. Asurvey in 1997 by The International Journal on Hydropower & Dams found that hydro supplies at least 50 percent of national electricity production in 63 countries and at least 90 percent in 23 countries. About 10 countries obtain...

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Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies

Solar Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal Technologies There are two basic categories of technologies that convert sunlight into useful forms of energy, aside from biomass-based systems that do this in a broader sense by using photosynthesis from plants as an intermediate step. First, solar photovoltaic (PV) modules convert sunlight directly into electricity. Second, solar thermal power systems use focused solar radiation to produce steam,...

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Wind Energy

 Wind Energy   1. Introduction Wind has considerable potential as a global clean energy source, being both widely available, though diffuse, and producing no pollution during power generation. Wind energy has been one of humanity’s primary energy sources for transporting goods, milling grain, and pumping water for several millennia. From windmills used in China, India and Persia over 2000 years ago to the generation of...

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Principles of renewable energy

Principles of renewable energy 1.1 Introduction The aim of this text is to analyse the full range of renewable energy supplies available for modern economies. Such renewables are recognised as vital inputs for sustainability and so encouraging their growth is significant. Subjects will include power from wind, water, biomass, sunshine and other such continuing sources, including wastes. Although the scale of local application ranges from tens...

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