To mark the UN Year of Energy in 2012, Practical Action is publishing some of its best practical briefings and case study material for the benefit of energy development practitioners around the world. Practical Answers 1 is the first in a new series of handbooks that provide guides on a variety of subjects for international development workers.

A revolution is ongoing in the field of small-scale energy solutions, which can enable lower impact on the environment, more robust supply and self-determination. Solar power and other forms of renewable energy sources, which you can implement to generate your own electricity, are growing quickly. Electromobility is transforming the car industry and transportation systems and can also play a role in your energy system. Electricity can be used much more efficiently than before, for example by using LED light, variable speed motor drives and efficient home appliances. Smart controls are available, sometimes with free open source software. All this opens up tremendous opportunities for energy independence, which is the focus of this book. The book introduces the reader to a number of renewable energy sources, to different options for storing electricity and to smart use of electricity, particularly in the context of small isolated systems. This is important because many renewable energy sources are weather- and season-dependent and usually require storage and smart control, in order to obtain a system that is completely independent of the electricity grid. In the book, overall system design is explained, including how to combine different sources in a hybrid system. Different system sizes and architectures are also covered. A number of real cases are described, where homes, businesses and communities have achieved a high level of energy independence or are on their way to achieving it. This book will prove useful in university education in renewable energy at bachelor and master level, and also for companies and private individuals, who want to start or expand activities in the area of renewable energy.

Effects of environmental, economic, social, political and technical factors have led to the rapid deployment of various sources of renewable energy-based power generation. The incorporation of these generation technologies have led to the development of a broad array of new methods and tools to integrate this new form of generation into the power system network. This book, arranged into six sections, highlights various renewable energy based generation technologies, and consists a series of papers written by experts in their respective fields of specialization.The Handbook of Renewable Energy Technology will be of great practical benefit to professionals, scientists and researchers in the relevant industries, and will be of interest to those of the general public wanting to know more about renewable energy technologies.

Provides an overview of various small scale sustainable energy technologies, with examples and a clear focus on technological and research issuesBeginning with an overview of the special characteristics, challenges, and opportunities of small scale power plants, this book goes on to provide detailed assessments of a wide variety of renewable energy generation technologies. Solar, biomass, hydroelectric, and geothermal energy generation are all addressed, with assessment of their performance, availability, reliability unique requirements for operation, maintenance, control, and grid integration.Combining technological advances with consideration of economic and application challenges, the Small Scale Power Generation Handbook is an essential resource for graduate students, academic researchers, and industry professionals involved in the design and integration of small scale power generation for sustainable systems. - Examines a range of cutting-edge renewable small scale generation systems, from photovoltaic to hydropower and bioenergy - Assesses the specific advantages and disadvantages of operation, maintenance, integration, and control alongside conventional grid - Applies technological insights to practical scenarios, case studies, and applications, supporting real-world improvements in sustainability and transition

This book showcases how small-scale renewable energy technologies such as solar panels, cookstoves, biogas digesters, microhydro units, and wind turbines are helping Asia respond to a daunting set of energy governance challenges. Using extensive original research this book offers a compendium of the most interesting renewable energy case studies over the last ten years from one of the most diverse regions in the world. Through an in-depth exploration of case studies in Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, and Sri Lanka, the authors highlight the applicability of different approaches and technologies and illuminates how household and commercial innovations occur (or fail to occur) within particular energy governance regimes. It also, uniquely, explores successful case studies alongside failures or "worst practice" examples that are often just as revealing as those that met their targets. Based on these successes and failures, the book presents twelve salient lessons for policymakers and practitioners wishing to expand energy access and raise standards of living in some of the world's poorest communities. It also develops an innovative framework consisting of 42 distinct factors that explain why some energy development interventions accomplish all of their goals while others languish to achieve any.

Worldwide, the effects of global warming, pollution due to power generation from fossil fuels, and its depletion have led to the rapid deployment of renewable energy-based power generation. The leading renewable technologies are wind and photovoltaic (PV) systems. The incorporation of this generation of technologies has led to the development of a broad array of new methods and tools to integrate renewable generation into power system networks.The Handbook of Renewable Energy Technology & Systems comprises 22 chapters, arranged into four sections, which present a comprehensive analysis of various renewable energy-based distributed generation (DG) technologies. Aspects of renewable energy covered include wind and photovoltaic power systems and technology, micro-grids, power electronic applications, power quality, and the protection of renewable distributed generation.

This book presents a state-of-the-art compilation focusing on both technological and policy aspects of sustainable energy production and consumption, which deals with issues like the need for and planning of smart cities, alternative transport fuel options, sustainable power production, pollution control technologies etc. The book comprises contributions from experts from all over the world, and addresses energy sustainability from different viewpoints. Specifically, the book focuses on energy sustainability in the Indian scenario with a background of the global perspective. Contributions from academia, policy makers and industry are included to address the challenge from different perspectives. The contents of this book will prove useful to researchers, professionals, and policy makers working in the area of green and sustainable energy.