The science of renewable energy

Machine generated contents note: The Gathering Storm

Peak Oil

Hirsch Report

A Malthusian Catastrophe?

Blame or Tame?

Weathering the Storm

Alternative and Renewable Energy

The Bottom Line: The Need for Innovation

Discussion Questions

References and Recommended Reading

Energy

Types of Energy

Measuring Energy

Heat Engines

Rankine Cycle Heat Engine

Stirling Cycle Heat Engine

Principles of Basic Electricity

Nature of Electricity

Structure of Matter

Conductors, Semiconductors, and Insulators

Static Electricity

Charged Bodies

Coulomb's Law

Electrostatic Fields

Magnetism

Magnetic Materials

Magnetic Earth

Difference in Potential

Water Analogy

Principal Methods for Producing Voltage

Electric Current

Resistance

Battery-Supplied Electricity

Battery Terminology

Voltaic Cell

Primary and Secondary Cells

Battery

Battery Operation

Combining Cells

Types of Batteries

Battery Characteristics

DC Circuits

Schematic Representation

Ohm's Law

Electric Power

Electrical Power Calculations

Electric Energy

Series DC Circuit Characteristics

DC Resistance

DC Current

Voltage

DC Power

Summary of Rules for Series DC Circuits

General DC Series Circuit Analysis

Kirchoff's Voltage Law

Polarity of Voltage Drops

Series Aiding and Opposing Sources

Kirchoff's Law and Multiple-Source Solutions

Ground

Open and Short Circuits

Parallel DC Circuits

Parallel Circuit Characteristics

Voltage in Parallel Circuits

Current in Parallel Circuits

Parallel Circuits and Kirchoff's Current Law

Parallel Resistance

The Reciprocal Method

Product over Sum Method

Reduction to an Equivalent Circuit

Power in Parallel Circuits

Rules for Solving Parallel DC Circuits

Series[-]Parallel Circuits

Solving a Series[-]Parallel Circuit

Conductors

Unit Size of Conductors

Square Mil

Circular Mil

Circular-Mil-Foot

Resistivity

Wire Measurement

Factors Governing Selection of Wire Size

Copper vs. Other Metal Conductors

Wire Temperature Coefficients

Conductor Insulation

Conductor Splices and Terminal Connections

Soldering Operations

Solderless Connectors

Insulation Tape

Electromagnetism

Magnetic Field around a Single Conductor

Polarity of a Single Conductor

Field around Two Parallel Conductors

Magnetic Field of a Coil

Polarity of an Electromagnetic Coil

Strength of an Electromagnetic Field

Magnetic Units

Properties of Magnetic Materials

Permeability

Hysteresis

Electromagnets

AC Theory

Basic AC Generator

Cycle

Frequency, Period, and Wavelength

Characteristic Values of AC Voltage and Current

Peak Amplitude

Peak-to-Peak Amplitude

Instantaneous Amplitude

Effective or RMS Value

Average Value

Resistance in AC Circuits

Phase Relationships

Inductance

Inductance: What Is It?

Unit of Inductance

Self-Inductance

Growth and Decay of Current in an RL Series Circuit

L/R Time Constant

Mutual Inductance

Calculation of Total Inductance

Capacitance

The Capacitor

Dielectric Materials

Unit of Capacitance

Factors Affecting Value of Capacitance

Voltage Rating of Capacitors

Charge and Discharge of an RC Series Circuit

RC Time Constant

Capacitors in Series and Parallel

Types of Capacitors

Ultracapacitors

Ultracapacitor Operation

Inductive and Capacitive Reactance

Inductive Reactance

Capacitive Reactance

Phase Relationships for R,L, and C Circuits

Impedance

Power in Reactive Circuits

AC Circuit Theory

Series RLC Circuit

Parallel RLC Circuits

Power in AC Circuits

Generators

DC Generators

AC Generators

Motors

DC Motors

Brushless DC Motor

AC Motors

Induction Motors (Polyphase)

Synchronous Motors

Single-Phase Motors

Split-Phase Motor

Capacitor Motor

Shaded-Pole Motor

Repulsion-Start Motor

AC Series Motor

Transformers

Power Distribution System Protection

Fuses

Circuit Breakers

Control Devices

Electrical Drawings

Electrical Symbols

Types of Electrical Drawings

Architectural Drawings

Circuit Drawings

Ladder Drawing

Discussion and Review Questions

References and Recommended Reading

Introduction

Concentrating Solar Power

Linear Concentrators

Parabolic Trough Systems

Fresnel Reflector Systems

Dish/Engine Systems

Power Tower Systems

Thermal Energy Storage

Two-Tank Direct System

Two-Tank Indirect System

Single-Tank Thermocline System

Photovoltaics

Domestic and Industrial Use of Solar Energy

Solar Hot Water

Space Heating

General Motors Battery Plant

Water Heating

Space Cooling

Let There Be Natural Light

Lighting Technologies

Lamps

Incandescent Lamps

Fluorescent Lamps

Compact Fluorescent Lamps

High-Intensity Discharge Lamps

Low-Pressure Sodium Lamps

Solid-State Lighting

Ballasts

Luminaires (Lighting Fixtures)

Lighting Controls

Daylighting

The Bottom Line on Solar Energy

Discussion and Review Questions

Minor Head Loss

Reservoir Stored Energy

Water Turbines

Impulse Turbine

Reaction Turbine

Advanced Hydropower Technology

Hydropower Generation: Dissolved Oxygen Concerns

The Bottom Line on Hydropower

Discussion and Review Questions

References and Recommended Reading

Introduction

Biomass

Feedstock Types

Composition of Biomass

Starch (Glucose)

Lignocellulosic Biomass

Cellulose

Hemicellulose

Lignin

Oils and Protein

Plant Basics

Plant Terminology

The Plant Cell

Vascular Plants

Leaves

Chlorophyll and Chloroplasts

Photosynthesis

Roots

Growth in Vascular Plants

Plant Hormones

Tropisms

Photoperiodism

Plant Reproduction

Plant Cell Walls

Feedstocks

First-Generation Feedstocks

Second-Generation Feedstocks: Short-Term Availability

Second-Generation Feedstocks: Long Term Availability

Bioethanol Production by Dry Corn Mill Process

Gasoline Gallon Equivalent

Pros and Cons of Bioethanol

Corn for Ethanol Production or Food Supply?

The Brazilian Example

Biomass for Biopower

Biomass for Bioproducts

Classes of Bioproducts

Biodiesel

Algae to Biodiesel

Characteristics of Algal Divisions

Algal Biomass

Open-Pond Algae Farms

Jatropha to Biodiesel

Pros and Cons of Biodiesel

Biogas (Methane, CH4)

Anaerobic Digestion

Stages of Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Biosolids (Sludge)

Anaerobic Digestion of Agricultural Wastes

Landfill Biogas

The Bottom Line on Biofuels

Discussion and Review Questions

References and Recommended Reading

Introduction

Geothermal Timeline

Geothermal Energy as a Renewable Energy Source

Geothermal Energy: The Basics

Earth's Layers

Crustal Plates

Convergent Boundaries

Divergent Boundaries

Transform Boundaries

Energy Conversion

Geothermal Power Plant Technologies

Dry-Steam Power Plants

Flash-Steam Power Plants

Binary-Cycle Power Plants

Enhanced Geothermal Systems

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Types of Geothermal Heat Pumps

Closed-Loop Systems

Open-Loop System

The Bottom Line on Geothermal Energy

Discussion and Review Questions

References and Recommended Reading

Introduction

Oceans and Their Margins

The Ocean Floor

Ocean Tides, Currents, and Waves

Tides

Currents

Waves

Coastal Erosion, Transportation, and Deposition

Wave Erosion

Marine Transportation

Marine Deposition

Wave Energy

Wave Energy: Facts, Parameters, and Equations

Wave Height

Deep Water Waves

Intermediate Depth Waves

Shallow Water Waves

Group Velocity

Wave Energy Conversion Technology

Tidal Energy

Tidal Energy Technologies

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

Ocean Energy Conversion Process

Types of OTEC Technologies

The Bottom Line on Ocean Energy

Discussion and Review Questions

References and Recommended Reading

Fuel Cells: The Basics

Open Cells vs. Closed Cells

Note continued: Hydrogen Fuel Cells: A Realistic View

Hydrogen Storage

How a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Works

Discussion and Review Questions

References and Recommended Reading.