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The utilisation of renewable energies is not at all new; in the history of mankind renewable energies have for a long time been the primary possibility of generating energy. This only changed with industrial revolution when lignite and hard coal became increasingly more important. Later on, also crude oil gained importance. Offering the advantages of easy transportation and processing also as a raw material, crude oil has become one of the prime energy carriers applied today. Moreover, natural gas used for space heating and power provision as well as a transportation fuel has become increasingly important, as it is abundantly available and only requires low investments in terms of energy conversion facilities. As fossil energy carriers were increasingly used for energy generation, at least by the industrialised countries, the application of renewable energies decreased in absolute and relative terms; besides a few exceptions, renewable energies are of secondary importance with regard to overall energy generation.
List of contents
and Structure.- Basics of Renewable Energy Supply.- Utilisation of Passive Solar Energy.- Solar Thermal Heat Utilisation.- Solar Thermal Power Plants.- Photovoltaic Power Generation.- Wind Power Generation.- Hydroelectric Power Generation.- Utilisation of Ambient Air and Shallow Geothermal Energy.- Utilisation of Geothermal Energy.
Summary
The utilisation of renewable energies is not at all new; in the history of mankind renewable energies have for a long time been the primary possibility of generating energy. This only changed with industrial revolution when lignite and hard coal became increasingly more important. Later on, also crude oil gained importance. Offering the advantages of easy transportation and processing also as a raw material, crude oil has become one of the prime energy carriers applied today. Moreover, natural gas used for space heating and power provision as well as a transportation fuel has become increasingly important, as it is abundantly available and only requires low investments in terms of energy conversion facilities. As fossil energy carriers were increasingly used for energy generation, at least by the industrialised countries, the application of renewable energies decreased in absolute and relative terms; besides a few exceptions, renewable energies are of secondary importance with regard to overall energy generation.
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From the reviews:
"This translation of a book originally published in German discusses and analyzes the basics of solar, wind, photovoltaic, geothermal, and water-based energy (including ocean energy). … this well-illustrated work is full of valuable information. … Many tables, charts, and drawings are included. Authors Kaltschmit, Streicher, and Wiese are listed in the book as editors; they have compiled a large amount of nearly current technical literature in a well-organized format. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals." (J. C. Comer, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (6), 2008)
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From the reviews:
"This translation of a book originally published in German discusses and analyzes the basics of solar, wind, photovoltaic, geothermal, and water-based energy (including ocean energy). ... this well-illustrated work is full of valuable information. ... Many tables, charts, and drawings are included. Authors Kaltschmit, Streicher, and Wiese are listed in the book as editors; they have compiled a large amount of nearly current technical literature in a well-organized format. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals." (J. C. Comer, CHOICE, Vol. 45 (6), 2008)
