Why are old technologies persisted with after better alternatives have been invented? This book examines this question, a central concern of evolutionary economics, specifically focusing on renewable energy technologies. The concept of path dependence is used to analyse why and how technological development can become locked-in to inefficient ways of doing things. This book shows how lock-in can be avoided by the creation of new technological pathways. The chapters focus on the comparatively recent introduction of new wind turbine technologies for the generation of carbon free electricity. This case study provides valuable lessons in understanding the issues confronting inventors attempting to commercialise their new ideas in the form of innovations in the face of historically established conventional technologies. It is also set within the critical debate on climate change and the need to de-carbonise energy supplies in order to stop further man-made deterioration in the global environment. This book was originally published as a special issue of European Planning Studies.

Comprehensive Energy Systems, Seven Volume Set provides a unified source of information covering the entire spectrum of energy, one of the most significant issues humanity has to face. This comprehensive book describes traditional and novel energy systems, from single generation to multi-generation, also covering theory and applications. In addition, it also presents high-level coverage on energy policies, strategies, environmental impacts and sustainable development. No other published work covers such breadth of topics in similar depth. High-level sections include Energy Fundamentals, Energy Materials, Energy Production, Energy Conversion, and Energy Management. Offers the most comprehensive resource available on the topic of energy systems Presents an authoritative resource authored and edited by leading experts in the field Consolidates information currently scattered in publications from different research fields (engineering as well as physics, chemistry, environmental sciences and economics), thus ensuring a common standard and language

This book gathers cutting-edge studies on the relationship between energy innovations, economic growth, environmental regulation, promotion of renewable energy use, and climate change. Building on the research discussed in the editor’s previous book Decarbonization and Energy Technology in the Era of Globalization, it discusses recent developments such as the impacts of globalization and energy efficiency on economic growth and environmental quality. It also explores the ways in which globalization has benefited green energy development, e.g. the expansion of new technologies and cleaner machinery, as well as the problems it has caused. Written by respected experts, the respective contributions address topics including econometric modelling of the behaviour of and dynamics between economic growth and environmental quality, aspects of energy production and consumption, oil prices, economic growth, trade openness, environmental quality, regulatory measures, and innovations in the energy sector. Providing a comprehensive overview of the latest research, the book offers a valuable reference guide for researchers, policymakers, practitioners and students in the fields of renewable energy development and economics.

The aim of this book is to highlight the great potential of decentralized (i.e. local or urban) energy policies in achieving environmentally-benign developments for modern cities. Urban sustainability is placed in the context of the debate on global sustainable development. A wide array of policy initiatives is discussed and evaluated, ranging from market-based energy policies to technological innovation policies for the energy sector. A theoretical framework for technology adoption processes is developed and empirically tested. The main question addressed is: which are the critical success factors for successful urban energy policies? This question is also dealt with in a meta-analytic context by assessing and comparing the performance of energy policies in various European cities, with a particular view to renewable energy.

Published in association with the International Solar Energy Society, this four-volume set focusses on the latest research and development initiatives of experts involved in one of the fundamental issues facing society today: the global energy problem.

This book provides an up-to-date review of the status and prospects of different options in energy conversion and storage technologies, as seen by a panel of world leading experts. It offers a platform for readers engaged in planning and undertaking new energy solutions, or retrofitting and redesigning the existing installations, to confront and to compare the pros and cons of various novel technology options. This book presents state-of-the-art papers on a timely topic.