Renewable Energy: Sources for Fuels and Electricity provides a sound and thorough look at the need to find new ways to meet the growing demand for energy. Because of the increasing severity of problems posed by conventional sources of energy - threats to the security of the world's oil supply, the environmental costs of burning fossil fuels, issues of safety and weapons proliferation related to nuclear power - the world's dependence on conventional energy sources must be reduced both by using energy more efficiently and by shifting to alternative, less problematic supply sources. Renewable energy can play a central role in addressing this challenge. This book offers a cutting-edge review of the prospects for renewable energy. Overall performance, cost, market potential, and environmental impact are assessed for fuels and electricity derived from hydroelectric, wind, photovoltaics, solar-thermal, geothermal, ocean and biomass energy sources. In addition, policies for adopting renewables on a broad scale are provided. This book will serve as an essential reference tool for policymakers, industrial leaders, economists, scientists, and environmentalists who are concerned with matters of energy, the environment, and development.