Understanding Renewable Energy Systems

Beginning with an overview of renewables, this book explores the fundamentals of various renewable energy systems. The main focus is on technologies with high development potential such as solar thermal systems, photovoltaics and wind power.

This book brings together the essential elements needed to gain an understand of the basic principles of, energy, energy auditing, solar energy, wnd energy and micro hydro , energy systems. This resource includes : an understanding of basic electrical systems both AC and DC, safety issues including current regulations regarding design and installation rules, circuit protection and component sizing. In addition the text includes a STEP by STEP guide to effectively designing : Standalone Energy Systems ; Grid Connected Energy Systems ; Mini Grid Systems and Hybrid Energy Systems. Essential elements included cable sizing, de-rating factors, locating solar arrays, wind turbine and micro hydro systems, maximum power point tracking, battery bank sizing and rules of design and a guide to maintaining system performance.

By mid-century, renewable energy must cover all of our energy supply if we are to phase out nuclear and successfully stop climate change. Now updated and expanded, the 2nd edition of this textbook covers the full range of renewable energy systems and now also includes such current trends as solar power storage, power-to-gas technologies, and the technology paths needed for a successful and complete energy transition. The topics are treated in a holistic manner, bringing together maths, engineering, climate studies and economics, and enabling readers to gain a broad understanding of renewable energy technologies and their potential.Numerous examples are provided for calculations, and graphics help visualize the various technologies and mathematical methodologies. Understanding Renewable Energy Systems is an ideal companion for students of renewable energy at universities or technical colleges on courses such as renewable energy, electrical engineering, engineering technology, physics, process engineering, building engineering, environment, applied mechanics and mechanical engineering, as well as scientists and engineers in research and industry.

In this new edition of Renewable Energy Systems, globally recognized renewable energy researcher and professor, Henrik Lund, sets forth a straightforward, comprehensive methodology for comparing different energy systems’ abilities to integrate fluctuating and intermittent renewable energy sources. The book does this by presenting an energy system analysis methodology. The book provides the results of more than fifteen comprehensive energy system analysis studies, examines the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the present system, and presents concrete design examples derived from a dozen renewable energy systems around the globe. Renewable Energy Systems, Second Edition also undertakes the socio-political realities governing the implementation of renewable energy systems by introducing a theoretical framework approach aimed at understanding how major technological changes, such as renewable energy, can be implemented at both the national and international levels. Provides an introduction to the technical design of renewable energy systems Demonstrates how to analyze the feasibility and efficiency of large-scale systems to help implementers avoid costly trial and error Addresses the socio-political challenge of implementing the shift to renewables Features a dozen extensive case studies from around the globe that provide real-world templates for new installations

A revolution is ongoing in the field of small-scale energy solutions, which can enable lower impact on the environment, more robust supply and self-determination. Solar power and other forms of renewable energy sources, which you can implement to generate your own electricity, are growing quickly. Electromobility is transforming the car industry and transportation systems and can also play a role in your energy system. Electricity can be used much more efficiently than before, for example by using LED light, variable speed motor drives and efficient home appliances. Smart controls are available, sometimes with free open source software. All this opens up tremendous opportunities for energy independence, which is the focus of this book. The book introduces the reader to a number of renewable energy sources, to different options for storing electricity and to smart use of electricity, particularly in the context of small isolated systems. This is important because many renewable energy sources are weather- and season-dependent and usually require storage and smart control, in order to obtain a system that is completely independent of the electricity grid. In the book, overall system design is explained, including how to combine different sources in a hybrid system. Different system sizes and architectures are also covered. A number of real cases are described, where homes, businesses and communities have achieved a high level of energy independence or are on their way to achieving it. This book will prove useful in university education in renewable energy at bachelor and master level, and also for companies and private individuals, who want to start or expand activities in the area of renewable energy.

This derivative volume stemming from content included in our seminal Power Electronics Handbook takes its chapters related to renewables and establishes them at the core of a new volume dedicated to the increasingly pivotal and as yet under-published intersection of Power Electronics and Alternative Energy. While this re-versioning provides a corollary revenue stream to better leverage our core handbook asset, it does more than simply re-package existing content. Each chapter will be significantly updated and expanded by more than 50%, and all new introductory and summary chapters will be added to contextualize and tie the volume together. Therefore, unlike traditional derivative volumes, we will be able to offer new and updated material to the market and include this largely original content in our ScienceDirect Energy collection. Due to the inherently multi-disciplinary nature of renewables, many engineers come from backgrounds in Physics, Materials, or Chemical Engineering, and therefore do not have experience working in-depth with electronics. As more and more alternative and distributed energy systems require grid hook-ups and on-site storage, a working knowledge of batteries, inverters and other power electronics components becomes requisite. Further, as renewables enjoy broadening commercial implementation, power electronics professionals are interested to learn of the challenges and strategies particular to applications in alternative energy. This book will bring each group up-to-speed with the primary issues of importance at this technological node. This content clarifies the juncture of two key coverage areas for our Energy portfolio: alternative sources and power systems. It serves to bridge the information in our power engineering and renewable energy lists, supporting the growing grid cluster in the former and adding key information on practical implementation to the latter. Provides a thorough overview of the key technologies, methods and challenges for implementing power electronics in alternative energy systems for optimal power generation Includes hard-to-find information on how to apply converters, inverters, batteries, controllers and more for stand-alone and grid-connected systems Covers wind and solar applications, as well as ocean and geothermal energy, hybrid systems and fuel cells

Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Systems goes beyond theoretical aspects of advances in renewable energy and addresses future trends. By focusing on the design of developing technologies, relevant operation and detailed background and an understanding of the application of power electronics and thermodynamics processes in renewable energy, this book provides an analysis of advancing energy systems. The book will be of interest to engineering graduates, researchers, professors and industry professionals involved in the renewable energy sector and is ideal for advanced engineering courses dealing with renewable energy, sources, thermal and electrical energy production and sustainability. With increasing focus on developing low carbon energy production, audiences need to have the engineering knowledge and practical skills to develop and implement creative solutions to engineering problems encountered with renewable energy technologies. By looking at renewable energy capture and conversion, system design and analysis, project development and implementation, each modular chapter examines recent advances in specific renewable energy systems with detailed methods, calculations and worked examples. Includes recent techniques used to design and model different renewable energy sources (RES) Demonstrates how to use power electronics in renewable systems Discusses how to identify, design, integrate and operate the most suitable technologies through key problems

For courses in Introductory Renewable Systems, Environmental Studies, and Solar, Wind, and Geothermal Energy Renewable Energy Systems is an introductory text that offers broad coverage of all major renewable energy systems, resources, and related topics, such as wind turbines, solar energy, biomass, geothermal energy, water related power generation, fuel cells and generators. The text provides students the detailed, accessible overview needed to understand the breadth of renewable energy technologies and materials. Accessible presentation. Chapter and section openers, margin features, and clear presentation of physics and mathematics help students learn the subject matter. Applied practice. Section check-ups, worked examples, and coverage of key technologies show how technologies and materials are applied. Visually engaging. The text is loaded with illustrations, original drawings, and photographs in full colour.