The Future for Renewable Energy

Prospects and Directions

The need for safe and affordable energy supply in both developed and developing countries continues to grow in the late-20th century. Under the auspices of EUREC (The European Union Renewable Energy Centres Agency) researchers in the different fields of renewable energy have identified the most promising areas of research and development, and mapped out a programme likely to lead to the large-scale implementation of renewable energy. The results were then discussed with industry and utilities in Europe before publication. Starting with an executive summary, this volume then examines the present situation for each main technology, sets some realistic goals, lays out a research development roadmap and finishes with a recommended strategy and set of references. Individual chapters include coverage of: biomass; ocean energy; photovoltaics; solar thermal energy; small hydro power; and winmd energy and the integration of renewable energy into combined heat/and or local power supply.