In this practical guide, globally recognized renewable energy researcher and professor Henrik Lund describes the modeling and simulation techniques that can be utilised to ensure at the outset of any renewable energy project that the resources available will meet supply demands. A clear, comprehensive methodology is set forth for comparing different energy systems' abilities to integrate fluctuating and intermittent renewable energy sources. Dr. Lund offers a freely available accompanying software tool, EnergyPLAN, that automates and simplifies the calculations supporting such detailed comparative analysis. The book further presents concrete design examples derived from a dozen successfully implemented renewable energy systems around the globe. It makes recommendations on the first steps of large-scale integration, focusing on the more immediate issue of conversion, rather than storage technologies. The text also undertakes the socio-political realities governing the implementation of renewable energy systems. Dr. Lund makes clear that it is the work of professionals in the renewables field to raise awareness that alternatives DO exist and that it is indeed economically and technically viable to choose renewable energy systems. To aid readers in that task, the book presents key strategies on how to overcome the inherent lethargy of entrenched institutions that seek to reinforce the status quo when confronted with objectives implying the need for radical technological change. After all, knowing there IS a choice is half the battle.Provides an introduction to the technical design of renewable energy systemsDemonstrates effective methodologies for analyzing the feasibility and efficiency of large-scale renewable energy systems to help implementers avoid costly trial and errorContextualizes renewable energy design efforts by addressing the socio-political challenge of implementing the shift to renewables Free companion analysis software empowers energy professionals to crunch data for their own projectsFeatures a dozen extensive case studies from around the globe that provide successful real-world templates for new installations

Acknowledgments ix About the Contributors xiii Abbreviations xv 1 Introduction 1 Book Contents and Structure 3 2 Definitions 5 Choice Awareness 5 Radical Technological Change 6 Applied and Concrete Economics 7 Renewable Energy 7 Renewable Energy Systems 8 3 Renewable versus Sustainable 9 Sustainable Energy 9 Political Reasons for Renewable Energy 10 Renewable Energy and Democracy 12 2 Theory: Choice Awareness Theses 1 Choice and Change 13 Choice/No Choice at the Individual Level 14 Choice/No Choice at the Societal Level 15 Radical Technological Change 18 2 Choice Perception and Elimination 20 Choice Perception 20 Choice-Eliminating Mechanisms 23 The First Choice Awareness Thesis 27 3 Raising Choice Awareness 28 The Second Choice Awareness Thesis 31 3 Methodology: Choice Awareness Strategies 1 Technical Alternatives 33 2 Economic Feasibility Studies 37 3 Public Regulation 41 4 Democratic Infrastructure 45 5 Research Methodology 47 4 Tool: The EnergyPLAN Energy System Analysis Model 1 Overall Considerations 51 Three Implementation Phases 53 Different Types of Energy System Analysis Models 54 Hourly Simulation Models at the National Level 59 2 The EnergyPLAN Model 61 Purpose and Application 61 Energy Systems Analysis Structure 64 Energy Systems Analysis Methodology 66 A Step-by-Step Approach to National Energy Systems Analysis 67 Sister Models to EnergyPLAN 70 3 Reflections 72 5 Analysis: Large-Scale Integration of Renewable Energy 1 The Danish Reference Energy System 76 Electrification of Transport Scenario 78 2 Excess Electricity Diagrams 79 3 Optimal Combinations of RES 86 4Flexible Energy Systems 88 Flexible Energy System 91 Flexible Energy Systems Including Electricity for Transport 92 5 Different Energy Systems 94 6 Grid Stability 97 7 Local Energy Markets 103 8 Integration of Transport 109 9 Electric Vehicles and V2G 112 10 Electricity Storage Options 119 11 Conclusions 122 Principles and Methodologies 123 Recommendations 124 6 Analysis: 100 Percent Renewable Energy Systems 1 The Los Angeles Community College District Case 129 2 The First Approach to Coherent Renewable Energy Systems 135 3 The Danish Society of Engineers' Energy Plan 143 4 Reflections 155 Principles and Methodologies 155 Conclusions and Recommendations 155 7 Empirical Examples: Choice Awareness Cases 1 Case I: The Nordkraft Power Station (1982-1983) 160 The "No Alternative" Situation 161 The Concrete Alternative Proposal 163 Conclusions and Reflections 166 2 Case II: The Aalborg Heat Planning (1984-1987) 167 The Alternatives in Question 168 Choice-Eliminating Strategies 170 Conclusions and Reflections 171 3 Case III: The Evaluation of Biogas (1990-1992) 173 The Applied Neoclassical Cost-Benefit Analysis 174 Feasibility Study Based on Concrete Institutional Economics 175 Conclusions and Reflections 178 4 Case IV: The Nordjyllandsvaerk (1991-1994) 179 The No Alternative Situation 180 The Alternative Proposal 182 Discussion of the Alternative 185 Conclusions and Reflections 186 5 Case V: The Transmission Line Case (1992-1996) 188 Shifting Arguments for the Need 189 Security of Supply 190 Concrete Technical Alternatives 192 Conclusions and Reflections 193 6 Case VI: European EIA procedures (1993-1997) 194 Implementation of the EIA Principles in Denmark 195 Example 1: The Nordjyllandsvaerk 196 Example 2: High-Voltage Transmission Lines 199 Example 3: The Avedorevaerk 200 Conclusions and Reflections 200 7 Case VII: The German Lausitz Case (1993-1994) 202 The Alternative 204 Conclusions and Reflections 208 8 Case VIII: The Green Energy Plan (1996) 209 The Design of the Concrete Technical Alternative 210 Evaluation and Comparisons 211 Conclusions and Reflections 214 9 Case IX: The Thai Power Station Case (1999) 215 The Hin Krut Power Station in Prachuap Khiri Khan 216 Official Economic Objectives for Thailand 217 The Design of a Concrete Technical Alternative 218 Comparative Feasibility Study 219 Conclusions and Reflections 221 10 Case X: The Economic Council Case (2002-2003) 223 Missing Capacity Benefits (Unfair Premises) 224 Balance of Payment, Employment, and Technological Innovation 228 Conclusions and Reflections 229 11 Case XI: The North Carolina Case (2006-2007) 231 Resource Assessment and Feasibility Study 232 Conclusions and Reflections 235 12 Case XII: The IDA Energy Plan 2030 (2006-2007) 236 Conclusions and Reflections 239 13 Summary 240 Existing Organizations Initiate Old Technology Proposals 240 Objectives of Radical Technological Change is Disregarded 241 Alternatives Must Come from Someone Else 241 Institutional Change is Essential 242 Applied Neoclassical Economics Provide Irrelevant Information 243 Concrete Institutional Economics Provides Relevant Information 243 Concrete Alternatives Raise Choice Awareness 244 Concrete Alternatives Help Identify Institutional Barriers 245 14 Conclusions 245 8 Conclusions and Recommendations 1 Conclusions 247 Choice Awareness 247 Renewable Energy Systems 250 2 Recommendations 253 100 Percent Renewable Energy Systems 254 Large-Scale Integration of Renewable Energy 255 The New Coal-Fired Power Station in Germany 256 Slowdown in Onshore Wind Power 258 Bibliography 261 Index 269