Renewable Energy Resources - Tapa dura

"Renewable energy requires an active approach, based on facts and data. Twidell and Weir, drawing on decades of experience, demonstrate this, making clear connections between basic theoretical concepts in energy and the workings of real systems. It is a delight to see the field having advanced to this level, where a book like Renewable Energy Resources can focus on the very real experiences of the energy systems of the coming decades." –Professor Daniel Kammen, Director, Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, USA

"Solar and wind power are now proven, reliable, ever-cheaper sources of electricity that can play a major role in powering the world. Along with other long-established renewables such as hydropower, and complemented by improved energy efficiency and appropriate institutional support, they can be key to sustainable development. This book can play a vital role in educating the people who are needed to make it happen." –Professor Martin Green, Director, Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics, University of New South Wales, Australia

"The solar revolution that’s been talked about for so long is with us here and now. This new edition of Renewable Energy Resources, like earlier editions, will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to informing both those involved with the technology and those in policy-making. This is critical if the promise of renewable energy is to be delivered as expeditiously and cost-effectively as is now needed." –Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director, Forum for the Future

"I welcome this excellent third edition of Twidell and Weir with its comprehensive yet accessible coverage of all forms of renewable energy. The technologies and the physics behind them are explained with just the right amount of math, and they include a realistic summary of the economic and societal implications." –Emeritus Professor William Moomaw, Tufts University, USA and Coordinating Lead Author, IPCC Special Report on Renewable Energy

"I highly recommend this book for its thorough introduction to all the important aspects of the topic of Renewable Energy Resources. The book is excellent in its completeness and description of the relevant different sources. Moreover it is strong in theory and applications. From a scientific and engineering point this book is a must". –Professor Henrik Lund, Aalborg University, Denmark and Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Energy

"Over the years, I have used this excellent text for introducing Physics and Engineering students to the science and technology of renewable energy systems. The updated edition will be of immense value as sustainable energy technologies join the mainstream and there is an increasing need for human capacity at all levels. I look forward to the new edition and hope to use it extensively." –Dr Atul Raturi, University of the South Pacific, Fiji

"Our school has used Renewable Energy Resources since 2005, as it was one of the few texts that covered the field with a good balance between background theory and practical applications of RE systems. The new updated edition looks great and I am looking forward to using it in my classes." –Dr Alistair Sproul, University of New South Wales, Australia

"I have used the extremely valuable second edition of this book for our postgraduate courses on energy conversion technologies. My students and I welcome this new edition, as it has been very well updated and extended with study aids, case studies and photos which even further improve its readability as a textbook." –Dr Wilfried van Sark, Utrecht University, Netherlands

"While the emphasis placed on the underlying physics of renewable energy resources means that this book is most likely to be useful for those with a good grounding in physical sciences, it also provides a thorough overview of the renewable energy field, relevant to specialists and generalists working across the renewables sector. The updates capture much of the technological and commercial progress of the last decade, providing an accurate picture of the outlook for the global renewable energy industry – one that looks increasingly cohesive and secure." – Sophie Lyons, UK Institute of Physics Energy Group

Praise for the 2nd edition

'Twidell and Weir are masters of their subject and join the ranks of acomplished authors who have made a powerful contribution to the field. Renewable Energy Resources is a superb reference work.' - Paul Gipe, www.wind-works.org

'It's ideal for student use - authoritative, compact and comprehensive, with plenty of references out to more detailed texts ... a very valuable book.' - Professor Dave Elliott of the Open University, UK, in Renew 162 2006

'What we need to combat climate change is a stream of students and graduates with the knowledge they can gain from this book ... suitable not only for engineering students but also for policy-makers and all those concerned with energy and the environment.' - Corin Millais (CEO Climate Institute)

Renewable Energy Resources is a numerate and quantitative text covering the full range of renewable energy technologies and their implementation worldwide. Energy supplies from renewables (such as from biofuels, solar heat, photovoltaics, wind, hydro, wave, tidal, geothermal, and ocean-thermal) are essential components of every nation’s energy strategy, not least because of concerns for the local and global environment, for energy security and for sustainability. Thus in the years between the first and this third edition, most renewable energy technologies have grown from fledgling impact to significant importance because they make good sense, good policy and good business.

This Third Edition is extensively updated in light of these developments, while maintaining the book’s emphasis on fundamentals, complemented by analysis of applications. Renewable energy helps secure national resources, mitigates pollution and climate change, and provides cost effective services. These benefits are analysed and illustrated with case studies and worked examples. The book recognises the importance of cost effectiveness and efficiency of end-use. Each chapter begins with fundamental scientific theory, and then considers applications, environmental impact and socio-economic aspects before concluding with Quick Questions for self-revision and Set Problems. The book includes Reviews of basic theory underlying renewable energy technologies, such as electrical power, fluid dynamics, heat transfer and solid-state physics. Common symbols and cross-referencing apply throughout; essential data are tabulated in appendices.

An associated eResource provides supplementary material on particular topics, plus a solutions guide to Set Problems.

Renewable Energy Resources supports multi-disciplinary master degrees in science and engineering, and specialist modules in first degrees. Practising scientists and engineers who have not had a comprehensive training in renewable energy will find it a useful introductory text and a reference book.