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