'This work is for all students of the world's energy dilemma. Highly recommended.' Choice 'The book tackles the subject in a range of ways which provides a sense of the depth needed to understand fully the contributions that can be made by renewable resources.' Paul Ganderton, author of Environmental Biogeography

Beginning with an overview of renewable energy sources including biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal, tidal, wind and solar power, this book explores the fundamentals of different renewable energy systems. The main focus is on technologies with high development potential such as solar thermal systems, photovoltaics and wind power. This text not only describes technological aspects, but also deals consciously with problems of the energy industry. In this way, 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. The book also contains a free CD-ROM resource, which includes a variety of specialist simulation software and detailed figures from the book. Following a successful edition in German and in response to growing demand for high quality, user-friendly textbooks on renewable energy, the author has prepared a revised version of this classic text in English. "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 practical guide, globally recognized renewable energy researcher and professor Henrik Lund describes the modeling and simulation techniques that can be utilised to ensure at the outset of any renewable energy project that the resources available will meet supply demands. A clear, comprehensive methodology is set forth for comparing different energy systems' abilities to integrate fluctuating and intermittent renewable energy sources. Dr. Lund offers a freely available accompanying software tool, EnergyPLAN, that automates and simplifies the calculations supporting such detailed comparative analysis. The book further presents concrete design examples derived from a dozen successfully implemented renewable energy systems around the globe. It makes recommendations on the first steps of large-scale integration, focusing on the more immediate issue of conversion, rather than storage technologies. 

The text also undertakes the socio-political realities governing the implementation of renewable energy systems. Dr. Lund makes clear that it is the work of professionals in the renewables field to raise awareness that alternatives DO exist and that it is indeed economically and technically viable to choose renewable energy systems. To aid readers in that task, the book presents key strategies on how to overcome the inherent lethargy of entrenched institutions that seek to reinforce the status quo when confronted with objectives implying the need for radical technological change. After all, knowing there IS a choice is half the battle. 

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• Provides an introduction to the technical design of renewable energy systems
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• Demonstrates effective methodologies for analyzing the feasibility and efficiency of large-scale renewable energy systems to help implementers avoid costly trial and error
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• Contextualizes renewable energy design efforts by addressing the socio-political challenge of implementing the shift to renewables
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• Free companion analysis software empowers energy professionals to crunch data for their own projects
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• Features a dozen extensive case studies from around the globe that provide successful real-world templates for new installations

New perspectives on using induction generators in alternative energy technologies

Durable and cost-effective, induction power generators have undergone numerous improvements that make them an increasingly attractive option for renewable energy applications, particularly for wind and hydropower generation systems. From fundamental concepts to the latest technologies,Alternative Energy Systems: Design and Analysis with Induction Generators, Second Editionprovides detailed and accurate coverage of all aspects related to the design, operation, and overall analysis of such systems.

Placing a greater emphasis on providing clear, precise, and succinct explanations, this second edition features new, revised, and updated content as well as figures, tables, equations, and examples. Each chapter introduces a multi-step, chapter-length problem relating the material to a real application. The solution appears at the end of the chapter, along with additional practice problems and references.

New Material in This Edition:

• Updated definitions for generated power and efficiency
• Technological advances, such as new applications using doubly-fed induction generators
• New methodologies, such as the magnetization curve representation for induction generators
• Additional focus on renewable energy applications such as sea, wind, and hydropower systems
• Totally re-written and updated chapter covering doubly-fed induction generators

• Alternative Energy Systemsprovides the tools and expertise for advanced students and professionals in electrical, mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering involved in the development of power plants.