Witzel W. Renewable Energy - The Facts

London, Washington, DCE, Earthscan, 2010. 257 p.— ISBN: 1849711593.nterest in renewable energy has never been greater, but much uncertainty remains as to the role the various technologies will play in the transition to a low-carbon future. This book sets out the facts – how the technologies work, where and to what extent they are currently employed, and where the greatest potential lies. Covering all the major fields – solar electricity, solar thermal, solar architecture, bioenergy, wind, geothermal, hydropower, as well as new energy technologies – it also includes sections on how best to promote the uptake of renewables and answers to common questions and opposition
The authors provide a number of German-sourced yet internationally relevant examples and strategies which have become increasingly significant in the promotion of renewable energy in recent years. The convenient layout mixes detailed explanation with clear, take-away facts and messages on each double-page spread. This straight-talking, information filled guide is the perfect primer for anyone who wants to better understand and promote renewable energy, whether in industry, study, policy or campaignsList of Figures
Foreword by Rainer GriesshammerNew Paths to the Future by Luiz RamalhoOur climate is at stake
The inevitable fight for limited oil reserves
Addiction to energy imports
Nuclear energy is not an alternative
Renewables are the way of the future
We have enough sun
Scenario for the solar future
The solar strategy requires conservation
Cogeneration – an indispensable part of our energy transition
Liberalization of the German energy market
Economic benefits
Solar Thermal
Solar collectors
Hot water from the sun
Solar heating in district heating networks
Cooling with the sun
Solar drying – air collectors
Solar thermal power plants
Solar Electric: Photovoltaics
The heart of a PV array – the solar cell
Grid-connected PV arrays
Off-grid PV arrays
Solar energy as part of sustainable development
The outlook for PV – lower costs from new technologies and mass production
Solar Architecture
A third of the pie – space heating
Passive solar energy
The solar optimization of urban planning
Solar thermal and PV in renovation
The wall as a heater – transparent insulation
Homes without heaters – passive houses
The off-grid solar house – a model for the Solar Age?
Plus-energy houses
Biomass
Fields and forests as solar collectors
Biogas
Biogas cogeneration units
Wood as a source of energy
District heating networks with woodchip systems
Energy crops
Fuel from the field – biodiesel
Fuel from the plantation – ethanol
Synthetic fuels (BTL)
Is there enough land for biofuels?
Wind Power
Wind power comes of age
Wind power and nature conservation
Wind velocity is key
The success story of wind power since the 1990s
The success story of wind power – the advantage of being first
Wind power worldwide
Wind power prospects – offshore turbines
Wind power prospects – less is more through repowering
Water Power, Geothermal and Other Perspectives
Water power – the largest source of renewable energy
Expanding hydropower – the example of Germany
Hydropower and nature conservation
The world’s largest hydropower plants
Geothermal worldwide
Underground heat
Hot dry rock – power from underground
Other possible sources of renewable energy
New Energy Technologies
Heat pumps
Solar hydrogen
How fuel cells work
Stationary fuel cells
Fuel cells in mobile applications
Current Use and Potential
The potential in Germany
The future has already begun in Germany
EU votes for renewables
Expanding renewables in the EU
Renewables worldwide
A long-term solar scenario for Germany
The 100 per cent target
FAQs
What do we do when the sun isn’t shining?
How can we store large amounts of electricity?
Can carbon emissions not be avoided less expensively?
What is the energy payback?
Are renewables job killers?
Is the Solar Age the end of power monopolies?
Promoting Renewable Energy
Research funding – not much money for the sun
Start-up financing is needed
Internalizing external costs
Ecological taxation reform – protecting jobs and the environment
Ecological taxation reform in increments
Investment bonuses for solar thermal systems
Solar energy in rental apartments – a problem child
Compensation for solar power with a return on investment
From the Feed-in Act to the Renewable Energy Act (EEG)
The Renewable Energy Act (EEG)
The EEG as a model for other countries
Photovoltaic arrays as a ‘blight’ on the landscape
Quotas and requests for proposals
Solar thermal arrays required on new buildings
Feed-in tariffs for heat in Germany?
Emissions trading
Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
A cornucopia of instruments
Phasing out nuclear
Renewable energy here and in the developing world
Good Marketing – Successful Projects
Everyone loves the sun
‘Green electricity’
Not everyone owns the roof over their head – community solar arrays
Solar brokers
Service brings in new customers for all-in-one packages
Investing in climate protection
Utilizing new leeway
Using new technologies
Notes