Product Description
The only wind energy textbook on the market, Electromechanical Principles of Wind Turbines allows students to become familiar with the components of a typical wind turbine and how they relate and interact with one another. Additionally, students will learn about the aspects of the operation and maintenance of turbines and how to successfully operate and maintain turbines safely, reliably and efficiently. ... Read more

Product Description

Due to the mounting demand for energy and increasing population of the world, switching from nonrenewable fossil fuels to other energy sources is not an option—it is a necessity. Focusing on a cost-effective option for the generation of electricity, Wind Energy: Renewable Energy and the Environment covers all facets of wind energy and wind turbines.

The book begins by outlining the history of wind energy, before providing reasons to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. After examining the characteristics of wind, such as shear, power potential, and turbulence, it discusses the measurement and siting of individual wind turbines and wind farms. The text then presents the aerodynamics, operation, control, applications, and types of wind turbines. The author also describes the design of wind turbines and system performance for single wind turbines, water pumping, village systems, and wind farms. In addition, he explores the wind industry from its inception in the 1970s to today as well as the political and economic factors regarding the adoption of wind as an energy source.

Since energy cannot be created nor destroyed—only transformed to another form—we are not encountering an energy crisis. Rather, we face an energy dilemma in the use of finite energy resources and their effects on the environment, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels. Wind Energy explores one of the most economical solutions to alleviate our energy problems.

Customer Reviews (2)

Good Overview - would have preferred more design content
I think this book has a good overview of wind energy and some of the basic considerations when it comes to designing wind turbines.As an engineering student researching wind turbines, I personally would have liked to see more content on design instead of wind resource and siting.Having said that, the book is meant as an overview intro book, so it contains exactly what is says it does.

If you are interested in much more technical content and wind turbine design, I highly suggest The Wind Energy Handbook, by Burton, Sharpe, Jenkins, and Bossanyi.Depending on how technical you are, it may be much more than you're looking for.

Even though I haven't done any yet, I do like that this book includes end-of-chapter problems.This is beneficial if a course on wind energy required this text.

wind energy: Renewal energy and the environment
A very practical and readable book. A more appropriate title for the book would be 'Applied Wind Energy Engineering for Commercial Applications'.Takes a systems approach and does it well. The entire book is in metric units. The chapter on electrical and electronics for wind energy systems is rather limited. A more detailed discussion on control systems would add value to the book. A detailed discussion on wind energy storage systems would be helpful. An undergrauate degree in mechanical engineering with exposure to electrical engineering is desirable in utilizing this book.This book provides opportunities for readers to make innovative contributions in the area of wind energy systems.Detailed bibliography is provided at the end of each chapter. Despite some of the shortcomings, this is a valuable addition to the library of any one entering the field of wind energy. ... Read more

Product Description

With shortages of fossil energy and heavy biomass energy use occurring in both developed and developing countries, a major focus has developed worldwide on renewable energy systems. Currently, a heavy focus is on biofuels made from crops, crop residues and wood.

Though it may seem beneficial to use renewable plant materials for biofuel, their use raises many concerns about major environmental problems, including food shortages and serious destruction of vital soil resources. All renewable energy systems need to be investigated because humankind has limited oil, gas and coal reserves remaining. In addition, coal will become increasingly difficult to extract and will greatly increase the global warming threat.

Serious energy conservation and research on viable renewable energy technologies are needed. This book considers the effectiveness and economics of several renewable energy technologies of current interest, including biofuels, solar and wind.

Product Description
This compelling saga recounts the human effort to capture the power of the wind for electricity--from the first European windmills, to nineteenth-century experiments in rural electrification, to the immense wind farms in California and the plains states that feed the power grid today. Environmental historian Robert W. Righter describes eccentric inventors and technical innovations, analyzes the politics of the power industry, past and present, and demonstrates that individuals and small businesses have made the greatest contributions to wind-energy development.Righter includes contemporary developments, including U.S. government research and regulation and the international race for dominance in the wind-turbine business. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

great, comprehensive book
I used this book to write a paper on wind power, however I wound up reading it outside of class as well.Righter gives a comprehensive overview of wind power in America, contrasting it to some wind development in Europe.Although there is some technical jargon (inescapable in this sort of book), it is also an approachable book, full of good anecdotes, historical narrative, and good photos, including many of the author's own.Although the book doesnt go in depth on any one subtopic in wind power (politics, financing, technical aspects) this is plus for the book since the style makes it accessible to the lay reader.Overall, a great read.

Braking Wind: It Doesn't Have to Stink
Sorry I couldn't resist. The punssibilities are endless here. I really enjoyed this book and found the history intriguing. Starting with the earliest attempts to harness wind in ancient times, the author brings us forward through 12th century Europe, early American settlement, western expansion (a Conestoga wagon with a sail?), the industrial revolution, the Depression, post WW II America, the Arab oil embargo, the boom and bust of the early 1980's and the precarious state of affairs for wind energy in the 1990's. The tale ends in 1996. If you've ever wondered: "Why VHS versus Beta?" or "Why internal combustion versus external combustion?" or "Why water, but not wind?". This may be the book for you. What succeeds and what fails in the market placeand the market place of ideas doesn't always "make sense" from a long term perspective, but short term considerations are always a reality that must be dealt with. Of particular interest in this book is the history of the American windmill pioneers from the 1920s to the 1950s who designed both for water and electrical production. Entrepreneurs and their companies long forgotten make for interesting lessons for any innovator seeking to challenge the status quo. This naturally leads to a tale of the trade off between centralized versus distributed power generation and forces that battled for supremacy. It also begs the question: What makes a subsidy? Clearly centralized power won, but the oil embargo of 1973 breathed new life into the technology. So why didn't it take off? Dr. Righter takes a through a tale of great expectations followed by great disappointments in the 1980s. The nineties bring even more surprises. Do you know who tried to opposed wind power in California? How about environmentalists. Believe it. Since the book ends in 1996, it's a little out of date if you want the latest and greatest status of wind energy production (you can get a lot of it on the internet), but the book covers the history well and is well documented. It also tries to strike a tone which is, in my mind, fair to all parties concerned. All too often the subject of alternative energy can give rise to utopian visions of problem free power or tales of conspiratorial corporate evil. I didn't find that here. He addresses the pros and the cons and has realistic expectations of the even greater possibilities. And most importantly he points out that the cost of any energy source must include the larger price society pays for it (pollution, disease, waste disposal, environmental impact, etc.) when comparing it to other means of production. ... Read more

Product Description
Studies have shown that the average North American family will spend more than a quarter of a million dollars on energy in a lifetime. What many other countries, including Germany, Spain, France, Denmark, China, Brazil, and even Iceland, have realized is that there is a better way to power our homes, businesses, and cars by using renewable energy sources. Recently, the United States has begun to understand the importance of reducing its reliance on coal, natural gas, nuclear power, and hydropower plants, which comprise the majority of the nation's electricity, due to increasing oil prices. Some sections of the country, including California, are turning to renewable energy sources. In fact, 12 percent of California s electricity is produced by renewable resources. The potential for the use of renewables is very large and understanding their use and their impact is key. Renewable Energy Made Easy will provide you with everything you need to know about these alternative energy sources. You will learn about solar power, wind power, water power, biofuels, geothermal energy, ethanol, wave farms, photovoltaic power plants, and hydrogen fuels. You will also become well-versed on the availability, aesthetics, environmental and social considerations, and longevity issues of these so-called soft energy technologies. In addition, you will learn about the current costs and the projected costs in the future, Energy StarTM regulations, the newest research and innovations, and the high development potential of renewable energy. This book will serve as a guide to creating more efficient buildings and an invaluable resource for how to change our preconceived notions about power. This book has taken the complexity and scientific terms out of this topic, making it jargon-free and easy to understand. Ultimately, you will learn how our country can improve energy efficiency, reduce oil dependence, improve energy security, and reduce the health and environmental impact of our current energy system. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Poorly written
I only started this, then put it down. It is possible that the author knows the subject, but this is so poorly written that it did not inspire confidence for me. It reads like a self published book created without an editor. I prefer the many other good references on the subject.

good book for basic information
Energy and the environment are topics of such importance today that it is easy to feel like a fool when you don't know even the basics.Renewable Energy Made Easy lives up to its name, making the subject easy to handle by dividing the book up into manageable sections.For me, I found the text a little simplistic at first.Recycle, Reduce, Reuse makes me feel like I am in fifth grade again.However, after the beginning he gets into a lot of interesting information about the actual technology making these changes in energy possible.

I wanted to see more diagrams/pictures of all the technology that the author talked about.I did enjoy, though, the case studies towards the end of the book that helped to give a clearer picture of how these technologies will be used by companies today.While the author is, of course, pro alternative energy, I didn't feel like he glossed over the many difficulties of making alternative energy work effectively and integrating it into our economy.

This is definitely a good book for those looking to get a basic grasp of renewable energy and especially for people looking for an in to more complicated material.

Decent Overview
Decent overview of the primary sources of renewable energy.I feltit lacked a little bit of flow, the author seemed to launch into some technical discussion without providing sufficient background.Perhaps those with engineering/technical experience will be able to follow a little bit better.

Way too basic..
The book is written in extra-large font (to fill the pages?) and it's very, very basic. Author repeats useless information over and over again.. If you want an introductory book on the topic, your money is better spent elsewhere.

A Great Resource
While scanning the table of contents of this book words like biomass and photovoltaic jump out.On first glance, these unknown words may turn some casual readers off.Fortunately, the author is knowledgeable enough and writes with such accessibility that these words quickly go from becoming unfamiliar to familiar.The author lives up to the title and does make renewable energy "easy".
The author not only informs readers about the different types of renewable energy (solar, hydro, wind, biomass and geothermal), which he delves into in separate chapters and illuminates each completely, he also spends time on what people can do to help bring these types of renewable energy into their everyday lives.With this book you can learn how to build your own solar battery charger or how to create your own hydrogen among other interesting lessons.
This book is a great resource for anyone interested in renewable energy, from the lay person interested in making a difference in the environment, to the student needing a detailed understanding of renewable energy.
... Read more

Product Description
Wind energy is a reliable, natural and renewable electrical power supply. The high installed capacity of today’s wind turbines and decreasing plant costs have shown that wind power can be competitive with conventional, more heavily polluting, fuels in the long term.

Focusing on the electrical engineering aspects of wind energy, this completely revised edition provides a detailed treatment of electrical and mechanical components and their interdependency, power control and supervision in wind power plants, and the grid integration facility. The book incorporates all the recent technical developments in electrical power conversion systems and essential operating conditions.

• Provides guidelines for the design, construction and installation of wind power plants
• Presents the history of wind technology, wind resources and economics of wind energy generation
• Introduces operating results and cost considerations
• Describes the fundamental characteristics and theoretical tools of electrical and mechanical components
• Discusses conventional and new types of generators, converters and power electronics
• Offers a comprehensive treatment of grid integration including the effect of power fluctuations on harmonics
• Focuses on improved use of grid capacities and grid support for fixed-and variable-speed controlled wind power plants
• Outlines power conditioning and control systems to ensure the safe operation of plants

Fully revised and updated, this new edition will continue to be the definitive resource for researchers and practitioners involved in the planning, installation and grid integration of wind turbines and power plants. The thorough approach will also prove highly beneficial to university students and practitioners in wind engineering, turbine design and manufacture and electrical power engineering. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

wind power
Excellent book fro wind turbines.
Everything is covered from wind to power grid(turbines, generators, methods for measuring of wind speed, problems,economy....)

Better in Discussing Engineering than Ackermann
This should be compared to Thomas Ackermann's "Wind Power in Power Systems."

If I purchased only one, it would be Ackermann, which I think is generally more comprehensive (and bigger). That said, I would need to supplement it with a lot of specific engineering data if I wanted to do any particular analysis.

Heier gets much more into lower level engineering details. Ackermann, looks more at a general systems and regulatory environment perspective.

Both books are very good and generally easy to read, providing good overviews of "current" practise.

Grid Integration of Wind Energy Conversion Systems
The book is great. You can find the basic theory and description of the control systems for wind turbines applications. I just wait to have the second edition in my hands. ... Read more

Product Description
A Hands-on Guide to Harnessing the Wind

Have you ever wondered how wind turbines work and why they look like they do? Are you interested in adding wind power to your off-grid electric system, but have been put off by the high cost of equipment and installation? Well, now you can build and install your own wind turbine!

Harnessing the wind can be a tricky business, but in this groundbreaking book the authors provide step-by-step, illustrated instructions for building a wind generator in a home workshop. Even if you don't plan on building your own turbine, this book is packed with valuable information for anyone considering wind energy. It covers the basic physics of how the energy in moving air is turned into electricity, and most importantly, will give you a realistic idea of what wind energy can do for you--and what it can't.

Full-scale, actual size blueprints for the 10-foot diameter wind turbine featured in this book are also available from Amazon to help you along in the construction process. Search Amazon books for "Homebrew Wind Power Blueprints" by Tyrone Banderet! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (18)

Home made wind turbine
Good book for someone with a lot of time and a do it yourself person.

Excellent
This is an excellent book for the do it yourselfer. These guys Dan and Dan give you a very detailed step by step instruction on how to build your own wind generator. I've read alot of other books on this topic and this book is by far the best, if your looking to build your own.

Great Great Book
I was very happy with this book.It contains all the information you would need to learn to build your own wind turbine generator and is put together in a very easy to read and understand format.The authors are entertaining and the information is accurate. There is a great chapter on sources and other materials for a person that wants to make their home more efficient or go off the grid.

Same book sent twice
This book was sent twice though I ordered it only once. I had to pay for the return.Ughh.

Excelent book by the way. My hat off to the author.

Get this book...
This book is a must read if you want to build your own windmill.Even if you don't want to build a windmill, you will learn tons about electricity and how small windmills work.This is a multi-discipline book, with information on steel fabrication, woodworking, magnets, electricity, wiring, and more.I bought this book after I read it because it is that good!It is easy to understand, and makes the project do-able. ... Read more

Product Description
The spectre of global warming and the political panic surrounding it has triggered a goldrush for renewable energy sources without an open discussion of the merits and drawbacks of each.

In The Wind Farm Scam Dr Etherington argues that in the case of wind power the latter far outweigh the former. Wind turbines cannot generate enough energy to reduce global CO2 levels to a meaningful degree; what s more wind power is by nature intermittent and cannot generate a steady output, necessitating back-up coal and gas power plants that significantly negate the saving of greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition to the inefficacy of wind power there are ecological drawbacks, including damage to habitats, wildlife and the far-from-insignificant aesthetic drawback of the assault upon natural beauty and the pristine landscape, which wind turbines entail.

Dr Etherington argues that wind power has been, and is being, excessively financed at the cost of consumers who have not been consulted, nor informed that this effective subsidy is being paid from their bills to support an industry that cannot be cost efficient or, ultimately, favour the cause it purports to support. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

THE CLIMATE, THE SCAM, AND THE WARDROBE
Given the controversial nature of this topic, the first thing to establish is the credentials of the author. Dr John Etherington was Reader in Ecology at the University of Wales, Cardiff until retirement in 1990. He is also a Thomas Huxley medalist (Royal College of Science), and a former editor of the Journal of Ecology.

He asserts that climate scares and EU targets drive the industry. Even basic independent research into the EU funding of wind power and enthusiasm for carbon taxes will back this up. Part of the EU agenda is to create a common power `super grid' using wind power as a Trojan horse to force change. In conjunction with EU 20/20 legislation and energy targets, Tony Blair bound the UK to energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets which may mean the UK will be forced to join a future European `supergrid' to prevent blackouts.

The 'ABS Windpower Report' (2006) noted that 'Wind power has been promoted for politico/environmental reasons and wind developers have benefited from substantial subsidies, leading to exaggerated claims. A reality check is needed.' (p.152) The frightening conclusion is that the UK will be at the mercy of European power supply if we join such a grid. Leaving the EU will be made economically highly dangerous and damaging for us if this occurs.

However, this in no way states the real objection to wind power, whether with modern generators or not. Wind power simply cannot supply predictable and reliable energy to the national grid: the reason being that the wind stops and starts, and sometimes blows too hard. Unless the wind is just right, there is no power generated. The electricity cannot be stored and must be used as produced and supplied to the grid, thus making grid regulation more complex, and in some cases dangerously unstable. Power generation does not cut in above a wind speed of about 10mph, and is cut off in gales and storms as the rotors may fail and the generator be damaged. Even so, wind generators may be blown over in storms.

Even worse, as wind power stops and starts, all wind power WHICH IS RELIED ON must be backed up by equivalent conventional power stations kept on standby - these are gas and coal-fired stations normally. Blackouts in Spain and the USA have occurred where this has not been the case (p.68). Of course, where the wind generators are NOT RELIED ON but are merely cosmetic there is no need to cover their output with stand-by power. This problem is one which the manufacturers of wind generators in Denmark, Germany, and elsewhere are always quiet about. So, where we bring more and more wind generators online in Europe, we ensure that more and more conventional power stations will be kept idle, just waiting for a lull in the wind over Europe.

Wind power is very expensive to build and run. This extra cost is hidden by the legalised RO (Renewables Obligation) subsidy, and tax breaks which are added to every electricity bill in Britain. The enthusiasm of the UK government is seen in that the Exchequer actually benefits from the 'green' tax of renewables collected by the 'Non-Fossil Purchasing Agency', and has done since at least 2005. Some is used to promote renewable energy, the rest goes into the general Consolidated Fund (p.150), estimated at about an extra £1 billion in 2010. The UK wind power excess cost per household per year was over £80 in 2008 (p.81)

Wind power does very little to reduce emission of CO2, the reason it was initially pushed. The amount it does save is grossly exaggerated by its proponents. Whether manmade CO2 is bad, or even significant as a greenhouse gas, is a moot point in science. The visual impact on the landscape reduces tourism, damaging jobs and income in areas such as Wales, where tourism contributes about 7% of GDP. A Spanish study found that the huge EU subsidies given to create 'green' jobs such as wind power destroys 2.2 existing jobs by displacement per 'green' job created (p.147).

The irrational and deceitful 'green' opposition propaganda to nuclear power in the UK is one of the reasons people are afraid to oppose wind power. France gets 80% of its electricity from nuclear power and has a superb safety record. Britain buys off-peak nuclear power electricity from France because it is such reliable baseload supply. Finland and France are both currently building large (1,600MW) pressurized water design nuclear reactors (p.190). We cannot assume that this is all done in the name of concern for the environment. Protected species of birds such as golden eagles and red kites are regularly killed by the rotor blades in Germany, the USA, and Sweden, violating laws protecting these species (p.103-9). Bats, also protected species, are killed by lung damage and shock when hit by flying in the blade vortices (air-wake of the rotor).

The health impact on humans is still being studied. The thumping noise and earth vibration of wind 'turbines' is unique and these effects are still being studied. Many people react badly to the low frequency hum (infrasound), which cannot easily measured physically by any of the decibel scales, the effect is psychological as much as physical. The sound and vibration effects penetrate easily into dwellings. The visual flicker effect of the rotor can be psychologically disturbing and is very intrusive inside dwellings. Reductions in Council Tax ratings have been won on the basis of reduced property value (p.119).

As common sense would predict, property values near even small wind 'farms' decline, a reduction of about 50% has been recorded (p.143). The Ministry Of Defence have often successfully blocked planning applications for wind 'farms' as they interfere with military radar (and commercial radar), and jets on low-fly exercises may hit the rotor blades. The commonest danger is of rotor blade failure, with other dangers such as friction fires igniting oil sumps, falling ice, lightning strike, and electrocution are downplayed. The life of a wind generator (so-called 'turbine') is 20-25 years, but few if any have usefully run for their lifetime to assess the full hazards and maintenance costs.

There is a foreword by Christopher Booker, an author's preface, a glossary of acronyms and abbreviations, and an index.

Wind farm
This book should be read by every politician who thinks wind power can be a serious source of electricity. Dr. Etherington uses simple language to demolish the idea that green energy in the form of aerogenerators can replace thermal power stations. Indeed, the more wind used the more thermal generators required. Wind is very expensive and very ineffective. In short it is a con of the first order.

Superb study of wind power
This superb book shows the extreme folly of relying on wind power for reliable electricity supply.

In November 2008, the Minister for Energy and Climate Change said that gas-fired and coal-fired electricity cost £50 per megawatt hour (MWh) to generate and nuclear power cost £38. By contrast, offshore wind cost £92, onshore wind £72.

To keep the uneconomic option of wind power alive, the government has made us all pay huge hidden subsidies, through our electricity bills, to wind power companies. As the 2003 Energy White Paper admitted, "We have ... introduced a Renewables Obligation for England and Wales in April 2002. This will incentivize generators to supply progressively higher levels of renewable energy over time. The cost is met through higher prices to consumers. ... By 2010, it is estimated that this support and Climate Change Levy exemption will be worth around £1 billion a year to the UK renewables industry."

Yet by 2007, Britain's 2,400 wind turbines generated just 1.3 per cent of our electricity, and even this paltry supply was not reliable. The 2008 House of Lords Select Committee on The Economics of Renewable Energy said, "To make up for its intermittency ... back-up conventional plant will be essential to guarantee supply when required, to compensate for wind's very low capacity credit. Wind generation should be viewed largely as additional capacity to that which will need to be provided, in any event, by more reliable means; and the evidence suggests that its full costs, although declining over time, remain significantly higher than those of conventional or nuclear generation."

So wind power cannot replace coal, gas, oil or nuclear - it depends on them `to guarantee supply when required'. Wind power won't even save CO2 emissions. As Etherington points out, "the Government's own figure for saving of CO2 emission by renewables power generation, mainly wind, is just 9.2 million tonnes per year by 2010 ... This is less than the emission from a medium sized coal fired power station."

Wind farms also harm the environment, spoiling our landscapes and killing large numbers of birds and bats.

And so it goes?
All I can say is fact or fiction, I sit in my back yard and watch my nieghbor's Wind turbine spinning at incredible speeds all day long. Placed in windward areas these things clearly are generating electricity consistantly, but they are cost prohibitive from most homeowners these days....Unless you have 5k laying around

What's the question?
Wind as a renewable energy cannot solve global warming.Wind turbine technology, however, can provide a reliable energy source at a stable price for governments, businesses, and communities over the next many decades and beyond while reducing pollution.It is also supporting local manufacturing and tradespeople. ... Read more

Product Description

Authors have tried to strike a balance between a short book chapter and a very detailed book for subject experts. There were three prime reasons behind doing so: first, the field is quite interdisciplinary and requires simplified presentation for a person from non-parent discipline. Second reason for this short-version of a full book is that both the authors have seen students and technically oriented people, searching for this type of book on wind energy. Third reason and motivation was considering engineers who are starting their career in wind industry. This book is targeted to present a good starting background to such professionals.

Product Description

William Kamkwamba was born in Malawi, a country where magic ruled and modern science was mystery. It was also a land withered by drought and hunger. But William had read about windmills, and he dreamed of building one that would bring to his small village a set of luxuries that only 2 percent of Malawians could enjoy: electricity and running water. His neighbors called him misala—crazy—but William refused to let go of his dreams. With a small pile of once-forgotten science textbooks; some scrap metal, tractor parts, and bicycle halves; and an armory of curiosity and determination, he embarked on a daring plan to forge an unlikely contraption and small miracle that would change the lives around him.

Customer Reviews (129)

Hope for Africa
A debate has been raging for years within that rarefied global community that earns its keep from the business of what we Americans call "foreign aid." (Others, less afflicted by an aversion to international engagement, call the field "overseas development assistance.")

On one side are the advocates for large-scale bilateral and multilateral aid, insisting that huge grants from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and their ilk are the only source of real hope for the many desperately poor nations of what is broadly, though incorrectly, called the Global South (Asia, Africa, and Latin America). The advocate-in-chief for this perspective is Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, who has argued that massive infusions of aid to the governments of the poorest nations can lift them out of poverty in short order. In 2006, Sachs published his seminal book, The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time, a work that provided the rationale for the Millennium Development Goals.

Arrayed against Sachs and his colleagues are the born-again critics of government-to-government aid, most noticeably William Easterly, a long-time World Bank economist who came in from the cold in recent years to testify to the widespread failure of "foreign aid." His 2007 book, The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good, set off the debate between the two opposing camps.

The gist of the difference between the two perspectives is simple: One side insists that the problem of poverty is far too big to be addressed through anything other than large-scale action carried out within each poor country on a national scale. The other side contends that top-down, nationwide development programs rarely work and that only solutions crafted at the grassroots and adopted by those who are most affected by them can bring about genuine social change.

Though I've read a number of other books taking one side or another in this debate, the work that has cast the most light on the topic is one that paid no attention whatsoever to "foreign aid" or economic development schemes, whether large or small. It's an extraordinary, first-person tale by a young man from Malawi entitled The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.

William Kamkwamba, the narrator of this awe-inspiring story, was a seventh-grade dropout who mastered fundamental physics by reading an out-of-date English textbook in a local, three-shelf library near his village and using his knowledge to construct a working windmill out of junkyard parts to generate electricity to irrigate his father's farm. He was 14 years old.

You can read news reports and even the most perceptive magazine articles about the challenges of development, but you won't get nearly as close to the essential truth of the challenge as you will from reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Kamkwamba's tale is unsparing of himself, his community, and his country. Through his all-seeing eyes, we witness the tragic consequences of the profound official corruption that held sway in Malawi for so many years after it gained its independence from Britain in 1964. We feel the unrelenting hunger he and his family experienced for months on end in the famine of 2001-2002. We see the darkness descend all around us as William is hounded by fearful villagers who can only explain his windmill as magical. But, most of all, we observe the steady evolution of his brilliant young mind as he confronts one setback after another, and prevails over them all.

If there is hope for Africa, as I firmly believe, it lies in the minds and hearts of William Kamkwamba and other young people whose innate genius is unlocked by the spread of education and opportunity for self-expression at the grassroots. There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of William Kamkwambas across Sub-Saharan Africa. And it will be a combination of top-down aid - to build schools, train teachers, and buy textbooks - with the local action of countless NGOs, with both local and international support, that will provide them with the tools and the freedom to solve the problems that have held down their forebears for generations past. I don't think genuine development - thorough-going social change - will come any other way.

(From Mal Warwick's Blog on Books)

A powerful story-of the human spirit
I am amazed by people who can literally make something incredible out of what most of us would consider trash. The ingenuity and willpower that Wiiliam demonstrates should be an inspiration to us all. He lifted himself, his family and his entire village into a better place with little formal education or access to materials.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind...
Valerie: Philadelphia, Pa....
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Thought provoking, inspirational. Should be required reading for public school children...

Inspired life
This book was an inspiring story about a youngster growing up in a small village in Malawi, one of the poorest countries in the world. He could have lost a future because of his mediocre grades in primary school, he could have died in an horrific famine, he could have perished in the face of several catatrophes but none of that happens.

The youngster in question is thirsty for knowledge of all kind. On his own, he researches electricity and wind power and constructs a windmill which powers a small flow of electricity and light into his humble shack. This in turn brings him attention and praise from knowledgeable including scientists and inventors and changes his life, and perhaps even his village, considerably. He eventually learns to speak about his invention in important setting and bring knowledge to others about his impoverish and needy nation. While the writing is simple, the story is complex and delightful. This is an excellent read.

Gift Was Well-Received
I purchased this book as a gift for someone who is interested in alternative energy sources.He said he enjoyed it. ... Read more

Product Description
Learning about the various types of renewable energy is a great way to get a person thinking about changes they can implement. There have been some significant efforts made in this area but there is still much more than needs to be taking place. Instead of being afraid of what is unknown to you, do your best to learn the basics of all the renewable energy sources possible.

The government of the United States has gotten involved in promoting renewable energy sources as well. They offer some great financial incentives for homes and businesses to you them. Even so, there is sometimes a high overhead to get everything in place. This can prevent many people from being a part of saving our natural resources even when they really would like to.

It is estimated that about 13% of our current energy is the result of renewable energy. With the money to cover the expenses, advanced technology, and a desire by society to continue using them we can see that percentage significantly increase. There are plenty of benefits to renewable energy too such as not harming the environment with pollutants. ... Read more

Product Description
Winds of Change examines the global development of the wind energy industry from a political, social movements-based perspective. It argues the wind energy industry developed successfully in certain regions and countries in large part because the environmental movement influenced its growth. Vasi then defines and analyses the three main pathways through which the environmental movement has contributed to industry growth: it has influenced the adoption and implementation of renewable energy policies, it has created consumer demand for clean energy, and it has changed the institutional logics of the energy sector. The book uses quantitative analysis to present the big picture of the global development of the wind energy industry, then draws on qualitative analyses to understand why countries such as Germany, Denmark, or Spain are world leaders in wind energy, while other countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada have a somewhat underdeveloped wind power industry. It also analyzes how the environmental movement contributed to the recent growth of the market for renewable energy certificates in the United States. The book also examines the remarkable transformation of the electricity sector in different countries, showing how environmentalists in Germany, Denmark, United States and United Kingdom contributed to wind turbine manufacturing by becoming entrepreneurs, innovators, and/or advocates, and, furthermore, how environmental groups and activists formed new companies that specialize in wind-farm development and operation, and pressured utility companies to invest in renewable energy by using tactics such as protests, lawsuits, and lobbying for stricter regulation. In conclusion, Vasi presents the main implications for future studies on industry development and social movement outcomes, as well as for the future growth of the renewable energy sector. ... Read more

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The accompanying ecological research for using wind energy in the German North and Baltic Seas is part of a series of research projects in the German Government's Investment Programme for the Future. It has brought out a variety of results about possible effects on the marine environment. This book provides an overview of the state of the accompanying ecological research in Germany. The main objective of the book is to show the relevance of the new results of these research projects for the planning and permission process for offshore wind energy plants.This book was kindly supported and funded by:Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)andJülich Research CentreThe Project Management Organization Jülich (PtJ) ... Read more

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From the solitary windmill standing sentry over a rural homestead to the sleek machinery of a modern wind farm, windmills are a powerful symbol of self-reliance and human ingenuity. Once the province of backyard tinkerers and eccentric inventors, they have over the past two decades entered the mainstream to be embraced by environmentalists, venture capitalists, and policymakers alike. But reaching that point wasn't easy.

In Reaping the Wind, journalist Peter Asmus tells the fascinating and convoluted history of commercial wind power in the United States. He introduces readers to maverick scientists and technologists who labored in obscurity, to entrepreneurs and visionary capitalists who believed that a centuries-old idea could be made feasible in the modern world, and to enterprising financial advisers and investors who sought to exploit the last great tax shelter in federal history. Beginning with the early pioneers, from William Heronemus, a former U.S. Navy captain who dreamt of huge floating wind farms off the coast of New England, to the $40 million success story of Jim Dehlsen of Zond, he offers an animated narrative that profiles the colorful cast of characters involved with the development of the American wind power industry.

Reaping the Wind is both engaging and instructive, with information about the technologies and policies that drive the industry and give it promise interwoven with the human story of the struggle to develop-against great odds-reliable, clean energy from a source as unpredictable and seemingly uncontrollable as the wind. Anyone interested in renewable energy or the human and political drama behind the development of new technologies will find the book an engrossing and enlightening read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Reaping the Wind is a disapointing text !!!
I have read this book, because I am interested in the history of modern windmills, however I find it to be very disappointing for many reason. First of all, this book lacks structure and coherence. It is a collection of notes on 'windmills' that are not coherently structured. The book does not follow a chronological order, and there is no logical transition betwen the different sections of a chapter, or the various chapters. Secondly, several chapters of the book are off topic. For example, in one chapter Asmus describres the social atmosphere of a biker's gathering, with details about the origins of the biker movement... that is fine, except for the fact that the only reference to windmill the chapter makes, is to mention that the famous biker's bar where bikers in south california have met for decades is located near a wind farm. Thirdly, the book is not very informative about windmills.Peter Asmus has a few facts about windmills scattedred throughtout the numerous chapters of the book. After having completed the book I acquired lots of factual information on a variety of topics BUT windmills. Overall this book is poor and I do not recommend it.

Adequate overview of early windpower industry.
The author did a good job of explaining how the wind energy industry in America got it's start in California, the start-up troubles, and the key issues important to making wind energy a viable alternative energy source. On the downside, I thought the book included too much information, and sometimes left the reader wondering how certain sideline stories fit in with the rest of the book. There were so many people mentioned & referenced, that I couldn't keep up with who did what when.

A Blow-By-Blow Account Of Wind Engineering Pioneers
You've got to really want to know about the history of wind power to take on this book.The author does an exceptional job of chronicalling all the characters and woodsy folklore of the wind power industry for the last three decades or so.It's a narrow subject, but for anyone interested in how we got where we are in the field of renewable energy, this is it.(Why do they call it "renewable"?Forest products are renewable, but wind?).A couple of pictures would have been fun.By and large a very unique book.

How to Clean the Air and Reduce Energy Costs
Peter Asmus is a sensitive, and involved, observer of the 20-year struggle to make wind energy a valuable energy resource.This book describes the soaring victories and crashing defeats, with the personalities of the people adding more than enough color and life.Here are the words of one wind industry promoter who made the transition from dreamer to bank-financed developer without losing his pony-tail: "Kudos, and more kudos. You cut through all of our industry'sbulls--t with wit and candor, and injected living, breathing humanity into a story of technology. Injecting your own personality, as well. Despite the obvious that no one can ever tell the true story as it happened, you have done a remarkable job in bringing the wind industry's evolution to life, and the future of American, no, global, society, rests in yourreaders' understanding of the lessons from your brilliant history of our industry." Wind energy is now harnessed with modern machines in 23 states of the US. As we teeter on the edge of another energy crisis, this books describes what some people are doing about to improve the health and security of all people.The beauty of this book is its invitation for everyone to choose the direction for the future. ... Read more

Product Description
The book covers all the major aspects of wind energy conversion technology. In contrast with other publications on this subject, the author gives due emphasis to wind resource analysis and its economic aspects. The subject is treated from its basics and gradually developed to the advanced level. Such a treatment caters the needs of readers with different subject backgrounds. Each section is discussed with illustrative examples and practical problems. Software, based on the analytical techniques discussed in the publication, is provided on an enclosed CD-ROM. An extensive bibliography is appended to each chapter to give further guidance to the readers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Comprehensive, Concise and Interesting
Dr Mathew had the ability to present in his book a comprehensive view of Wind Energy and Wind Power Project feasibility. The book is well-written and once I started the first page I just could not stop reading it. The most interesting point of this book is that it not only presents the basic concepts but it also reinforces its message with objective exercises. The WERA software (included) is an interesting first-step approach to more detailed wind power softwares such as WAsP and WindPro. I do recommend Dr Mathew's book to anyone interested in the Wind Energy business. ... Read more