The Modern EnergiesEdition 1

An energy revolution is going on today that will benefit all of us, as it makes our basic needs in electricity more affordable and the world a cleaner place. PV and wind power are witnessing worldwide growth, be it gigawatt-level central power stations or building-integrated plants installed by millions of individuals. Wind energy has rapidly become a leader of new developments, and PV has achieved dominance in the global energy markets—financial benefits being the main drivers. The current decade has seen wind power and PV eventually reaching the top of the energy markets, with nuclear power’s decline accelerating. The intermittency of PV and wind power is being rapidly overcome through massive integration of battery energy storage systems in various sizes.

This book is not about wishful thinking and speculations, but hard facts and figures. It has been written by international experts who have made this energy revolution possible. It provides an overview of the global development of renewable energy from its beginnings in the mid-1950s all the way to its leadership today. The objective views of experts presented with the global well-being in mind are of general interest, highlight the benefits of renewable energy, and give evidence of the lies and biased and distorted views of the defenders of the old conventional energy, which had its day. The book explains how, thanks to renewable energy, the low-income populations in the developing nations can at last get access to affordable energy. It demonstrates how the world has now understood the benefits provided by our friendly and inexhaustible sun power.