After thousands of years, the traditional use of renewable energy sources is evolving to meet modern needs. This book presents the major developments in renewable energy technologies and applications over more than fifty years. It describes an entire era of creativity and innovation, during which Greece contributed new ideas and played an active role in technological advancement, participating dynamically in the European and international effort to expand the use of wind and solar energy in electricity generation.
The volume includes research projects and notable missions, accompanied by commentary on renewable energy technologies and international developments in the field, which marked their rapid progress and expansion in the decades that followed.
Particular emphasis is placed on the energy transition — the greatest challenge of the twenty-first century — which is expected to transform both the economy and society.
Renewable energy sources, especially solar and wind power, with their low production costs, combined with energy storage and advanced management and control strategies, are set to become the dominant energy sources, offering environmental and social benefits without the high external costs associated with health and environmental damage.
As the book explains, the expansion of electricity use is becoming increasingly attractive, while hydrogen production is also beginning to emerge for a wide range of energy applications. An electrical system based on the goal of 100% renewable energy is both feasible and capable of competing with today’s fossil-fuel-based systems.
