Description

Scientist and engineers working in the field renewable energy must overcome the challenges of conversion, transmission and storage before it can replace more traditional power sources such as oil and gas. In this book, Bent Sorenson provides strategies for the efficient conversion, transmission and storage of all forms of renewable energy.

The book provides the reader with a complete background on how renewable energy is transformed into power and the best methods for transmitting and storing the energy produced. Specific to this book is a discussion of conversion processes and storage methods for: geothermal energy, biological and liquid fuels, wave energy, and photovoltaic. In addition the book will cover renewable energy conversions for powering small electrics, as well as battery applications for portable power, and energy bands in semiconductors.

Readership

Power Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Chemical Engineers, and Electrical Engineers

Contents

Chapter1. Introduction
I. General principles

Chapter2. Basic principles of energy conversion

Chapter3. Thermodynamic engine cycles
II. Specific heat energy conversion processes

Chapter4. Direct thermoelectric conversion

Chapter5. Engine conversion

Chapter6. Heat pumps

Chapter7. Geothermal energy conversion
III. Specific mechanical energy conversion processes

Chapter8. Basic description of flow-driven converters

Chapter9. Propeller-type converters

Chapter10. Crosswind and other alternative converter concepts

Chapter11. Hydro energy conversion

Chapter12. Magneto hydrodynamic converters

Chapter13. Wave energy converters
IV. Specific radiation energy conversion processes

Chapter14. Photovoltaic conversion

Chapter15. Photoelectrochemical conversion processes

Chapter16. Solar thermal converters

Chapter17. Solar thermal electricity generators

Chapter18. Solar cooling and other applications
V. Specific electrochemical energy conversion processes

Chapter19. Fuel cells

Chapter20. Battery applications
VI. Specific bioenergy conversion processes

Chapter21. Combustion

Chapter22. Biological conversion to gaseous fuels

Chapter23. Biological conversion to liquid fuels

Chapter24. Thermal conversion to gaseous and other fuels
VII.Energy Transmission

Chapter25. Transmission of Heat

Chapter26. Transmission of Electricity
VII.Energy Storage

Chapter27. Storage of Heat
chapter28. Storage of High-quality Energy Forms
Appendix: Energy bands in semiconductors
Mini-project exercises
References
Index

Author Information

By Bent Sorensen (Sørensen), Professor, Institute of Studies in Mathematics and Physics, Roskilde University, President, Novator Advanced Technology Consulting, Denmark