Renewable Energy-2000

The limited availability of fossil energy carriers and the environmental impacts of energy consumption demand mid- and long-term strategies both for the rational use of energy and for increased regenerative energy utilization. Concepts of regenerative energy conversion have been proposed and implemented during recent decades all over the world and their remarkable potential has been demonstrated. However, large scale implementation in the context of the requirements mentioned above has not yet taken place. The EUREC (European Renewable Energy Centres) Agency - an association of 25 European research centres from 11 EC countries, provides a framework of leading experts in the field of regenerative energies, focusing on assessment studies, joint projects in research and development and on proposing future strategies in a European context. Under the leadership of Professor Wrixon, with the assistance and contributions of experts from the EUREC Agency, the document Renewable Energies - 2000 has been elaborated. This document critically evaluates the potential of regenerative energies, focusing on the most relevant sources and methodologies, namely: wind energy, solar heating, cooling and daylighting, photovoltaics and biomass. It also proposes strategies for implementing components and systems to achieve economic operation in different regions of the European Community.