Renewable Energy Systems: Design and Analysis

Renewable energy systems harness natural processes to generate electricity and heat, playing a crucial role in sustainable development and combating climate change. Key sources include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and biomass energy. Solar power captures sunlight using photovoltaic cells or solar thermal systems, while wind energy exploits air currents through turbines. Hydropower utilizes flowing water in rivers or from reservoirs to spin turbines, producing electricity. Geothermal energy extracts heat from the Earth's interior, often in the form of steam, to generate power or provide direct heating. Biomass energy converts organic materials, such as plant and animal waste, into electricity, heat, or biofuels through processes like combustion, anaerobic digestion, or gasification. Technological advancements and economies of scale have significantly lowered costs, making renewables increasingly competitive with traditional energy sources. Most of the topics introduced in this book cover new techniques and the applications of renewable energy systems. This book brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates the unexplored aspects of renewable energy systems. It is a vital tool for all researching or studying this subject as it gives incredible insights into emerging trends and concepts.