Electricity Production from Renewables

This textbook is about economically competitive renewable energy sources (RES), including onshore and offshore wind, solar and small-hydro plants, and focusing on the electricity production from these sources.

Clearly divided into sections discussing the different RES, the textbook begins with an introduction of AC electrical circuits, aimed at non-electrical engineers. It then offers an economic assessment of renewable energy projects, before discussing photovoltaic technologies and concentrated solar power. It explores the theory of wind to power conversion, electrical generator types and electrical part of offshore systems.

Presenting theoretical concepts related to the electrical framework associated with RES, alongside examples and solved problems, this book will clearly introduce the topic of renewable power sources to graduate students, researchers and practitioners alike. After reading the book, readers will be equipped to make a preliminary techno-economic assessment of a RES.

Rui Castro is a Professor at the Power Systems Section, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of Técnico Lisboa (IST), University of Lisbon, and a researcher at INESC-ID/IST. He lectures the IST Master’s Courses on “Renewable Energy and Dispersed Power Generation” and “Economics and Energy Markets” and the PhD Course on “Renewable Energy Resources”. He has published two books, one on Renewable Energy and the other on Power Systems (in Portuguese). He has participated in several projects with the industry, namely with EDP group, REN (Portuguese Transmission System Operator) and ERSE (Portuguese Energy Regulator). He has published more than 50 papers in top international journals, covering topics on renewable energy, impact of PV systems on the LV distribution grid, demand side management, offshore wind farms, energy resource scheduling on smart grids, water pumped storage systems, battery energy storage systems.