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Contents:

1 - Introducing renewable energy; 2 - Solar thermal energy; 3 - Solar photovoltaics; 4 - Bioenergy; 5 - Hydroelectricity; 6 - Tidal power; 7 - Wind energy; 8 - Wave energy; 9 - Geothermal energy; 10 - Integration.

Review:

The rise of renewable energy has been a long time coming for those of us in the 1970s who assumed it would all be in place by 2000 (especially after the 'oil wars' of the early 1970s). It shows that however good a technology there are a range of factors that are involved before it gets to being a mainstream source. Aside from strong policy, there's also been a lack, recently, of good introductory texts in the area. This one, a second edition used as part of an Open University course, aims to fill the gap.

The opening chapter looks at three aspects- the nature of energy, the production and consumption of energy and the types of renewable energy that could be used to substitute/supplement this. There's also reference to global warming and the role of energy in that. The remainder of the text takes one key energy source at a time and describes it. Thus chapter two deals with solar thermal energy: solar water heaters and various forms of active and passive thermal energy in building design. Because energy use is also bound up with loss reduction there's discussion of double glazing and other techniques. The chapter finishes with a look at some of the economic and environmental issues. Chapter three looks at photovoltaics, long time the more expensive cousin of thermal power. Here, changes in production and more efficient techniques have made this more viable. Solar cars are a common feature in school and university design projects (in Australia there's an annual cross-country race!). Houses and factories can be fitted and there is the potential to create enough power but despite improvements, cost is still an issue. However, for remote sites it's looking more probable. The next topic is bioenergy - fuel from plant (energy crops) and waste biomass (e.g. animal waste products. This "technology" has been around for thousands of years but not in a form for modern society. The aim is to increase the scale without increasing the problems. Various methods are described (including the already-successful bio-alcohol or biohol schemes) and, as with the other chapters, there are economic and environmental considerations. Chapter five turns to hydroelectricity starting with history and moving on to modern turbines. There's a longer section also on environmental effects (this once-green technology has its share of problems) and integration with the wider energy scene. Tidal power (chapter 6) starts with some basic physics and a description of some schemes. In contrast to the other chapter it devotes a considerable proportion to environmental effects and possible future for the resource (including some of the latest designs). Wind energy, another ancient source) comes next. Very recently this has become the centre of attention with claims of visual impact and problems of vibrating/rotating blades on people and birds respectively. The chapter describes a large number of blade configurations and the calculations needed. There's also mention of environmental impact and economic potential. Wave energy could also supply a portion of our needs so chapter 8 looks at the options. Various configurations from Salter's duck to modern buoys are described along with various examples of current schemes. Geothermal energy (chapter 9) has actually been harnessed for over 100 years although this is mainly in terms of hydrothermal vents. There has been an attempt to recreate this in the 'hot rocks' schemes of the 1980s. Experiments continue but there has yet to be a viable option here. The final chapter looks at integration. The problem with alternative energy has always been that it is a dilute, dispersed energy form in a high-energy, localised distribution system i.e. a few large power stations instead of numerous small ones. This final chapter is a welcome look at the realities of actually getting a system run partly from renewable energy. A range of cases are examined and some scenarios discussed. Although it's always possible to disagree in some areas the overall tone is both balanced and hopeful.

This is an excellent introductory text as one would expect from an OU book. There are numerous colour illustrations and text with each chapter concluding with references, reading list and Internet resources. It covers a very wide range of sources with virtually no gaps in the sets of examples chosen. It provides a great background to the study of energy sources and although one could wish for more attention to be paid to ecological/environmental effects, this is an excellent text which deserves the widest readership.