The limited available of fossil energy carriers and the environmental impacts of energy consumtion demand mid-and long-term strategies both for the rational use of energy and for increased renewable energy utilization. Concepts of renewable energy conversion have been proposed and implemented during recent decades allover the world and their remarkable potential has been demonstrated. However, large scale implementation in the context of the requirements above has not yet taken place. The EUREC (European Renewable Energy Centres) Agency - an association of 25 European research centres from 11 EC countries, provides a framework of leading experts in the field of renewable energies, focusing on assessment studies, joint projects in research and development and on proposing future strategies in a European context. Under the leadership of Professor Wrixon, with the assistance and contributions of experts from the EUREC Agency, the document 'Renewable Energy - 2000' has been elaborated. This document critically evaluates the potential of renewable energies, focusing on the most relevant sources and methodologies, namely: wind energy, solar heating, cooling and daylighting, photovoltaics and biomass. It also proposes strategies for implementing components and systems to achieve economic operation in different regions of the European Community. It thereby makes use of the expert knowledge and experience concentrated in EUREC Agency member institutions.

A component in the America's Energy Future study, Electricity from Renewable Resources examines the technical potential for electric power generation with alternative sources such as wind, solar-photovoltaic, geothermal, solar-thermal, hydroelectric, and other renewable sources. The book focuses on those renewable sources that show the most promise for initial commercial deployment within 10 years and will lead to a substantial impact on the U.S. energy system. A quantitative characterization of technologies, this book lays out expectations of costs, performance, and impacts, as well as barriers and research and development needs. In addition to a principal focus on renewable energy technologies for power generation, the book addresses the challenges of incorporating such technologies into the power grid, as well as potential improvements in the national electricity grid that could enable better and more extensive utilization of wind, solar-thermal, solar photovoltaics, and other renewable technologies.

Energy 2000, proceedings from the 8th in an international series of global energy forums, is now available in book format. These papers provide a broad-based perspective on not only technical energy developments, but a detailed examination into other aspects such as economic and policy assessments, global energy issues, energy efficiency and conservation, as well as architecture and international law. Also presented are individual and collected views on renewables, oil and gas, coal and nuclear. ENERGEX '2000, the 8th in an international series of global energy forums, was held in Las Vegas, July 23-28, 2000. The first in the series was held in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada in cooperation, coordination and communication with technical societies, federal and provincial governments and industry. The majority of papers presented at the 8th global energy forum are contained in these proceedings and represent over 200 papers from 45 countries out of a total of over 400 accepted abstracts. These papers will provide the reader with a broad based perspective on not only technical energy developments but, as consistent with the International Energy Foundation's objectives, a detailed examination into other aspects such as economic and policy assessments, global energy issues such as global climatic change, energy efficiency and conservation, architecture and international law. ENERGEX '2000 also provided the opportunity for researchers internationally to present their individual and collected views related to the diverse sources of energy available to mankind. These sources include renewables, oil and gas, coal, and nuclear. From ENERGEX 2000 has resulted this new book! Since the inception of the ENERGEX series in 1982, an open door policy has been established so that any researcher from either the developed or the emerging nations will have an equal opportunity to present their individual or collected technical, economic or human dimensional assessments and analyses on an equal footing. Through this participation, researchers worldwide are provided with a wider range of opportunity to expand our horizons with respect to the continued use of fossil energies and nuclear energy combined with energy conservation and efficiency. This opens the door of opportunity in the 21st century with respect to the rapid developments and utilization of renewable energies and fuel cells. Integrated within this global energy forum were inputs from academia, industry and government on specific issues related to carbon sequestration, fuel cells, fossil fuels, hydrogen and the role of the present day energy standards of oil and gas, coal and nuclear energies In expanding the global energy picture, the Foundation developed the conference with the theme "Energy-International Cooperation, Coordination and Communication: The Beginning of a New Millennium." Consistent with this theme we are pleased that ENERGEX '2000 developed the program in concert with the Nevada Test Site Development Corporation (NTS).