2nd Edition

The Science of Renewable Energy

By Frank R. Spellman Copyright 2016
    580 Pages 226 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Latest Edition Explores Fresh, New Alternatives to Fossil Fuels

    The Science of Renewable Energy, Second Edition takes a look at ways to produce sustainable and reliable energy sources and presents practical examples along with scientific methods, models, observations, and tools. Developed by esteemed author Frank R. Spellman, this book includes input from industry experts offering guidance and direction on obtaining self-replenishing energy from natural processes. The book focuses on the various forms of renewable energy derived from natural processes that are constantly replenished: solar energy, wind energy, ocean energy, wave energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, biomass energy, hydropower energy, biofuels, and hydrogen fuel cells.

    New in the Second Edition:

    • Updates each chapter with current information including the latest innovations
    • Elaborates on energy basics
    • Adds important energy parameters dealing with both fossil fuel supplies and renewable resources (energy units as they apply to fossil fuel energy and renewable energy)
    • Expands each chapter to include both the pros and cons of renewable energy production and use

    The Science of Renewable Energy, Second Edition focuses on the production of clean and efficient energy sources and serves as a reference to undergraduates in renewable energy courses as well as non-specialists within the energy industries.

    Post-Oil Energy
    The Gathering Storm
    Peak Oil
    A Malthusian Catastrophe?
    Weathering the Storm
    Alternative and Renewable Energy
    Future of Renewable Energy and Employment in the Renewable Energy Field
    Bottom Line: The Need for Innovation
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Energy Basics
    Renewable Energy: Perspective on Energy
    Energy
    Measuring Energy
    Units, Standards of Measurement, and Conversions
    Clean Energy Parameters and Calculations
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Principles of Basic Electricity
    Introduction
    Basic Electrical Principles
    Battery-Supplied Electricity
    DC Circuits
    Ohm’s Law
    Electric Power
    Electric Energy
    Series DC Circuit Characteristics
    Parallel DC Circuits
    Series–Parallel Circuits
    Conductors
    Electromagnetism
    AC Theory
    Characteristic Values of AC Voltage and Current
    Resistance in AC Circuits
    Inductance
    Capacitance
    Inductive and Capacitive Reactance
    AC Circuit Theory
    Generators
    Electric Motors
    Transformers
    Power Distribution System Protection
    Electrical Drawings
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Solar Energy
    Introduction
    Solar Historical Timeline
    Concentrating Solar Power
    Photovoltaics
    Domestic and Industrial Use of Solar Energy
    Let There Be Natural Light
    Other Solar Energy Applications
    Environmental Impacts of Solar Energy
    Ecological Impacts of Solar Energy
    Solar Energy Job Hazards
    Future Direction for Solar Energy
    Bottom Line on Solar Energy
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Wind Energy
    Introduction
    Key Terms for Wind Energy Development
    Air in Motion
    Wind Energy
    Wind Power Basics
    Wind Turbine Types
    Wind Turbine Components
    Wind Energy and Power Calculations
    Small-Scale Wind Power
    Environmental Impacts of Wind Power
    Wind Energy Construction Impacts
    Wind Energy Operations Impacts
    Wind Energy Impacts on Wildlife
    Wind Energy Impacts on Human Health
    Power Transmission Lines
    Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance Personnel Safety Concerns
    Bottom Line on Wind Power
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Hydropower
    Introduction
    Key Terms
    Hydropower Basic Concepts
    Reservoir Stored Energy
    Water Turbines
    Advanced Hydropower Technology
    Environmental and Ecological Impacts of Hydropower
    Biological Impacts of Flow Fluctuations
    Low Water Levels and Evaporation of Reservoirs
    Hydropower Security
    Impacts on Human Health and Safety
    Bottom Line on Hydropower
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Bioenergy
    Introduction
    Key Terms
    Biomass
    Plant Basics
    Feedstocks
    Biothanol Production by Dry Corn Mill Process
    Biomass for Biopower
    Biomass for Bioproducts
    Biodiesel
    Biogas (Methane)
    Environmental Impacts of Biomass Energy Generation
    Biomass Feedstock Production Impacts
    Impacts on Human Health and Safety
    Bottom Line on Biofuels
    Discussion and Review Questions

    References and Recommended Reading

    Geothermal Energy
    Introduction
    Geothermal Energy: The Basics
    Energy Conversion
    Geothermal Power Plant Technologies
    Enhanced Geothermal Systems
    Geothermal Heat Pumps
    Environmental Impacts of Geothermal Power Development
    Impacts on Human Health and Safety
    Geothermal Energy: The Bottom Line
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Blue Energy
    Introduction
    Oceans and Their Margins
    Ocean Floor
    Ocean Tides, Currents, and Waves
    Coastal Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition
    Wave Energy
    Wave Energy Conversion Technology
    Tidal Energy
    Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion
    Ocean Energy Environmental Impacts

    Environmental Impacts of Hydrokinetic Energy
    Blue Energy: The Bottom Line
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Fuel Cells
    Introduction
    Hydrogen Fuel Cells
    Hydrogen Storage
    How a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works
    Properties of Hydrogen
    Other Types of Fuel Cells
    Environmental Impacts of Fuel Cells
    Discussion and Review Question
    References and Recommended Reading

    Carbon Capture and Sequestration
    Introduction to Carbon Capture and Sequestration
    Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration
    Geologic Carbon Sequestration
    Potential Impacts of Terrestrial Sequestration
    Potential Impacts of Geologic Sequestration
    Impacts on Human Health and Safety
    Discussion and Review Questions
    References and Recommended Reading

    Afterword: Is it the Beginning of the End or the Beginning of the Beginning?
    Glossary

    Biography

    Frank R. Spellman, PhD, is a retired adjunct assistant professor of environmental health at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia, and the author of more than 100 books covering topics ranging from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to all areas of environmental science and occupational health. Many of his texts are readily available online, and several have been adopted for classroom use at major universities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Russia; two have been translated into Spanish for South American markets. Dr. Spellman has been cited in more than 850 publications. He serves as a professional expert witness for three law groups and as an incident/accident investigator for the U.S. Department of Justice and a northern Virginia law firm. In addition, he consults on homeland security vulnerability assessments for critical infrastructures, including water/wastewater facilities, and conducts pre-Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protection Agency audits throughout the country. Dr. Spellman receives frequent requests to co-author with well-recognized experts in several scientific fields; for example, he is a contributing author to the prestigious text The Engineering Handbook, 2nd ed. Dr. Spellman lectures on wastewater treatment, water treatment, and homeland security, as well as on safety topics, throughout the country and teaches water/wastewater operator short courses at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. In 2011, he traced and documented the ancient water distribution system at Machu Picchu, Peru, and surveyed several drinking water resources in Amazonia, Ecuador. He has also studied and surveyed two separate potable water supplies in the Galapagos Islands, in addition to studying Darwin’s finches while there. Dr. Spellman earned a BA in public administration, a BS in business management, an MBA, and both an MS and a PhD in environmental engineering.

    "… essential for anyone wishing to explore the renewable energy world."
    —Tom Hersh, Golden West College, Huntington Beach, California, USA

    "… covers the most important aspects of renewable energy concepts… The environmental issues discussed at the end of each chapter add value to the subject. … shows how it is linked to environment ranging from resource existence, extraction/conversion, generation, delivery, use and exhaustion. The questions added at the end of each chapter are commendable as they help the reader to practice and test his/her understanding of the chapters."
    —Al-Mas Sendegeya, Polytech of Namibia


    "Dr. Spellman provides a passionate but grounded argument for the need for renewable energy options. This textbook provides many in-depth examples of real-world applications and calculations that can be adapted for various teaching purposes. The background material and questions in each chapter are relevant and compelling, guiding readers to grasp important concepts presented… includes in-depth discussions of the current oil-centric economy and a robust review of the peak oil economic scenario."
    —Adam Kankiewicz, Solar Energy Scientist

    "This is an outstanding book and deserves to be a standard text book. I hope, all those who are teaching courses on ‘renewable energy’ will treasure this book. I also believe, the book will appeal to any general reader who wishes to improve the understanding of the complex, fascinating and increasingly-important subject of renewable energy."
    — Pulak Kumar Patra, Visva-Bharati University, West Bengal, India

    "The book is written in easy-to-read style and will serve as a reference to undergraduates in renewable energy courses as well as non-specialists within the various energy industries. The author succeeds in achieving the goals of the book and it should find a ready audience among fossil fuel enthusiasts and renewable energy enthusiasts."
    Energy Sources Part A, September 2016