February 2011
Intermediate
416 pages
11h 24m
English
1
Introduction
In the last few years renewable energies have experienced one of the largest growth areas in percentage of over 30% per year, compared with the growth of coal and lignite energy.
The goal of the European Community (the EU) is to reach 20% in 2020, but the EU-27 energy is only 17% of world energy. The US, with 22% of energy share, has adopted similar goals under the pressure of public opinion concerned by environmental problems and in order to overcome the economical crisis. However, the policies of Asia and Pacific countries, with 35% of energy share, will probably be more important in the future energy scenario. In fact, countries like China and India require continuously more energy (China energy share has increased 1 point every year from 2000).
The need for more energy of the emerging countries and the environmental concerns of the US and the EU increases the importance of renewable energy sources in the future energy scenario.
1.1 Wind Power Development
Grid-connected wind systems are being developed very quickly and the penetration of wind power (WP) is increasing.
The driving force in Europe was taken in March 2007, when EU Heads of State adopted a binding target of 20% of energy generated from renewable sources by 2020. A similar plan for 25% renewable energy sources until 2025 has been adopted in the US.
According to BTM Consult [1], the cumulative and annual installed wind power worldwide in 2009 is shown in Figure 1.1. Despite the economic crisis, 2009 ...
