Large-Scale Solar Thermal Power: Technologies, Costs and Development [Wall Map] [Hardcover]

Werner Vogel (Author), Henry Kalb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 16, 2010 | ISBN-10: 3527405151 | ISBN-13: 978-3527405152 | Edition: 23

This important contribution to the issue of renewable energy describes the technical and economical requirements of mass-produced solar thermal power plants, from the different types of power plants to the development needs and a massive development program. The authors - renowned and experienced experts in the field - show that solar thermal power plants, because of their simple technology, are easy to build with high production rates and therefore can play a substantial role in the rapid substitution of fossil fuels. On the basis of solar thermal power (using long distance transmission) and coal from substituted coal plants, a future energy system is described supplying gas and liquid fuels. This is the first discussion of a complete concept, of a crash-strategy, for the partial replacement of oil and natural gas.

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From the Back Cover

This important contribution to the issue of renewable energy describes the technical and economical requirements of mass-produced solar thermal power plants, from the different types of power plants to the development needs and a massive development program. The authors - renowned and experienced experts in the field - show that solar thermal power plants, because of their simple technology, are easy to build with high production rates and therefore can play a substantial role in the rapid substitution of fossil fuels. On the basis of solar thermal power and coal from substituted coal plants, a future energy system is described supplying gas and liquid fuels. This is the first discussion of a complete concept, a Crash-Strategy, for the partial replacement of oil and natural gas.

About the Author

Werner Vogel studied physics, chemistry and mathematics at the University of Karlsruhe, Germany. He was involved there at the Institute of Applied Physics in research on solar hydrogen and fuel-cell power plants 1977-1979. Since 1980 he has been a freelance researcher in the field of solar energy, especially solar thermal power plants.

Henry Kalb studied physics and was involved in research on solar-hydrogen technology at the University of Karlsruhe from 1976 to 1980. Since 1980, he has been an independent researcher (System-Innovation Karlsruhe), specializing in the areas of solar energy, particularly solar thermal power, and environmental technology.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 508 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-VCH; 23 edition (June 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3527405151
• ISBN-13: 978-3527405152
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,002,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars mostly economic but not so practical, August 29, 2010

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C. Tenreiro Leiva "book lover" (Chile and South Korea) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Large-Scale Solar Thermal Power: Technologies, Costs and Development (Hardcover)

I waited quite a while for the book since I pre-ordered, however when I finally received two facts came to the surface, it lacks of details on technologies that are available, the same information, or even better, can be rapidly obtained from internet, and secondly it become clear that there are some polarization in the economical analysis, mainly driven by the German policy towards renewable energies.
Going deeper, it can be realized that southern latitudes do not exist for the authors, except for figure 5.9 and some considerations to Africa. This may be true in the sense of existing plants based on Solar but certainly is not true from the potential applications, particularly if considering that is a sector that will demand quite an important amount of energy. It should be consider the total potential energy from Solar.
In favor I have to mention that the authors do mention the lack of good quality data, which I assume should cover the whole planet, hopefully.

Another point is that most of the analysis is base on comparison (some times seems quite unfair ones) with other conventional sources of energy, oil, gas, nuclear and so on, which in my opinion is a mistake because Solar Energy has a very strong case by itself, it is so important that do not need to rely on trying to diminish the role of these other forms of generating energy. In his sense there is a risk that one could argue that these comparisons are not profound enough to draw any significant conclusion, except the ones that can be taken under pre conceived positions between non renewable and renewable energies.

The book do contribute with several illustrative cases of economical evaluations that may help in feasibility studies, but if you want something better oriented to the powerful solar case, which also gives tools for technologies and techniques go for the CRC books for solar energy.
The two stars are mainly due to the fact that the book do not help you for decision makers or post grad students to advance in the field without going for the other materials that were left away. But it can be used as a nice complementary book, focused on possible examples of cases and specific projects already implemented.
Also in favor can be said that gives a nice cover of the great Spanish experience on solar energy technology, which is a real contribution on the subject.