The use of renewables is spreading rapidly. Over a quarter of global
electricity is already generated from solar, wind, hydro and biomass
energy. With costs falling significantly, renewables are booming,
helping to avoid the major climate change risks associated with fossil
fuel use in power stations, homes and vehicles. But can we get rid of
all of these dirty energy sources - and nuclear power, as well - and
deliver 100% of our energy from renewables? Or are renewable energy
systems inherently unreliable and expensive, given the need to deal with
their variability?
In this timely analysis, leading energy expert David Elliott tackles
these issues head on and asks to what extent renewables can deliver a
technologically and economically viable energy future. Exploring both
the progress and problems of renewables against a backdrop of rising
energy demand, he argues that, on balance, they do seem to be living up
to their promises. With renewables rapidly expanding across the globe,
and China now leading the pack, a renewable future could really be on
the horizon.