Introduction to Renewable Energy

Renewable energy refers to the energy harvested from renewable sources, regenerated through natural processes within a relatively short timeframe. Examples of such sources include tides, wind, sunlight, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy serves primarily in four sectors, namely, air and water heating or cooling, transportation, rural energy, and notably, electricity generation. Another viable source is bioenergy, wherein biomass is converted into biofuel for vehicular propulsion. Electrical energy storage plays a crucial role in renewable energy systems, enabling the storage of surplus energy during peak production and its subsequent release to the grid during low production periods. This book attempts to understand the multiple sources of renewable energy and how such energy forms can have practical applications. It unfolds the innovative aspects of renewable energy which will be crucial for the holistic understanding of the subject matter. Coherent flow of topics, student-friendly language and extensive use of examples make this book an invaluable source of knowledge.