The greatest challenge of our time is to build a world based on the sustainable use of renewable power. Our massive dependence on fossil fuels has upset the very climatic system that made human evolution possible. The global economy and its financial system are in jeopardy, running hot on overtly cheap yet increasingly costly and fast depleting oil. A 100% renewable world is seen by many as an impossible dream in anything but the very long term. But not only do a growing number of initiatives and plans dare to make the change but many have already achieved it.
This rich collection presents a series of pioneering efforts and their champions, and the paths to their successes. Ranging from initiatives by individuals to visions for companies, communities and entire countries, it defeats tired economic and technical counter-arguments, showing how the schemes featured not only can and do work but do so economically and with available technology. The book is introduced by incisive writing by Peter Droege, explaining the challenges and framing a roadmap towards a 100% renewable reality.
'As he has in the past, Peter Droege has produced an important and timely new book on how we shift away from our current energy path. The challenges are immense, but these scholarly essays provide a roadmap for delivering fundamental change in the way we bring new energy technologies to market. Perhaps most important, the book emphasizes the key role that renewables can play in our urban energy picture. As the home to most global energy use, cities are one of the toughest venues to deploy renewables in a cost effective manner. Droege and his fellow authors don't shy away from the challenge, however, proving to us that we can nibble away at this problem a bit at a time, ultimately delivering cities with vastly smaller carbon footprints.'
Stephen Hammer, Director, Urban Energy Program, Columbia University Center for Energy, Marine Transportation and Public Policy
'100% renewable was always more than a Moon Shot or a Manhattan Project as we just could not imagine how it could ever happen. Suddenly it's all come together as Peter Droege and his authors have shown. The first signs of the emerging political consensus are emerging behind this grand vision. It's now just a matter of time - critical time.'
Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability, Curtin University, and author of Resilient Cities
1. 100% Renewable Energy: The Essential Target
2. Institutions for a 100% Renewable World
3. The Renewable Imperative: Providing Climate Protection and Energy Security
4. 100% is Possible Now
5. C02-Free Munich
6. 100% Renewable Champions: International Case Studies
7. Feed-In Tariffs: The Policy Path to 100%
8. How to Achieve Renewable Energy Regions and Advance Sustainable Development: Integrated Models and Processes in Germany
9. Renewable Regions: Life after Fossil Fuel in Spain
10. 100% Renewable Transport
11. Better Place
12. How to Grow Food in the 100% Renewable City: Building Integrated Agriculture
13. Oil to Solar: The Masdar Initiative
14. Masdar City Master Plan: The Design and Engineering Strategies
15. Urban Energy Potentials: A Step towards the Use of 100% Renewable Energies
16. Closing the Planning Gap: Moving to Renewable Communities
17. Community Life at 100% and Beyond: How to Raise a Renewable Family without Even Trying
18. 100% Renewable Life: One Man's Stand Against a Fossil-Fuel World
Peter Droege is Professor and Chair of Urban Sustainability, Climate and Planning Education at the University of Liechtenstein; and Conjoint Professor, Faculty of Engineering, University of Newcastle, Australia. He chairs the World Council for Renewable Energy for Asia Pacific.