The solution to our current energy dilemma will contain features of both alternate energy sources and alternate use of existing energy sources. In order to help engineers find this solution, Alternative Energy Systems covers a wide range of concepts.

1. Energy in the United States. 1.1 Energy and Power. 1.2 Energy Usage and Standard of Living. 1.3 A Historical Perspective of Energy Usage in the United States. 1.4 United States Energy Usage in 2007. 1.5 Worldwide Energy Use. 1.6 Efficiencies. 1.7 Closure. Review Questions. References. 2. Fundamentals of Turbomachinery. 2.1 Definition of a Turbomachine. 2.2 Turbomachine Classifications. 2.3 Turbomachine Aanalysis. 2.4 Example Problems. 2.5 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 3. Hydropower. 3.1 Introduction. 3.2 Examples of Hydroelectric Dams. 3.3 Hydraulic Analysis. 3.4 Turbine Specific Speed Considerations. 3.5 Energy Transfer in Turbines. 3.6 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 4. Wind Energy. 4.1 Introduction. 4.2 Fundamental Concepts. 4.3 Wind Energy Resources. 4.4 Wind Turbine Operation. 4.5 Commercial Wind Turbine Examples. 4.6 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 5. Combustion Turbines. 5.1 Introduction. 5.2 The Combustion Turbine. 5.3 The Air-Standard Brayton Cycle. 5.4 Actual Gas Turbine Cycle Analysis. 5.5 Combustion Turbine Cycle Variations. 5.6 Examples of Commercially Available Combustion Turbines. 5.7 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 6. Solar Energy Fundamentals. 6.1 Introduction. 6.2 Radiation Heat Transfer Review. 6.3 Sun Path Description and Calculation. 6.4 Sun Path Development Using Mathcad. 6.5 The Solar Energy Database. 6.6 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 7. Active Solar Thermal Applications. 7.1 Introduction. 7.2 Flat-Plate Collector Fundamentals. 7.3 Solar Collector and Weather Data. 7.4 The f -Chart Method. 7.5 Other Solar Thermal Systems. 7.6 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. Appendix A. 8. Passive Solar Energy. 8.1 Fundamental Concepts of Passive Solar Energy. 8.2 Quantifying Passive Solar Features. 8.3 The First-Level Method or Rules of Thumb. 8.4 The Second-Level Method (LCR Method). 8.5 Daylighting. 8.6 Passive Solar Software. 8.7 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. Appendix A. 9. Photovoltaic Systems. 9.1 Introduction. 9.2 Photovoltaic Cell Fundamentals. 9.3 Photovoltaic Components. 9.4 Photovoltaic Systems. 9.5 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 10. Fuel Cells. 10.1 Introduction. 10.2 Fuel Cell Fundamentals. 10.3 Fuel Cell Thermodynamics Fundamentals. 10.4 Fuel Cell Types. 10.5 Fuel Cell Availability. 10.6 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 11. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems. 11.1 Introduction. 11.2 CHP System Fundamentals. 11.3 CHP System Economics and Operation. 11.4 Economic Assessment of CHP Suitability. 11.5 CHP System Example. 11.6 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 12. Biomass. 12.1 Introduction. 12.2 Biomass Availability. 12.3 Biomass Fundamentals. 12.4 Biomass Characteristics. 12.5 Biomass Based Fuels and Products 12.6 Municipal Solid Waste (MSW). 12.7 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 13. Geothermal Energy. 13.1 Introduction. 13.2 Geothermal Resources. 13.3 Geothermal Energy Systems. 13.4 Geothermal Examples. 13.5 Ground-Source Heat Pumps. 13.6 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 14. Ocean Energy. 14.1 Introduction. 14.2 Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). 14.3 Tidal Energy 14.4 Wave Energy. 14.5 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References. 15. Nuclear Energy. 15.1 Introduction. 15.2 Fundamentals of Nuclear Energy. 15.3 Nuclear Power. 15.4 Fusion Power. 15.5 Closure. Review Questions. Exercises. References.