Solar Thermal and Biomasses: Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Development

Conventional energy sources based on oil, coal and natural gas are damaging economic and social progress, environment and human life. Many people are concerned about these problems and wish to address the symptoms as a matter of urgency, but not all understand the basic causes and consequently do not realize that not only technological, but also social changes are required. It is now widely acknowledged that renewable energy capacity has to be increased by exploiting its enormous potential. Renewable energy education is relatively new field and previously it formed a minor part of the traditional university courses. However, over the past decade, several new approaches have emerged: we see these in the new literature and, even more clearly, in new books. The present treatise, in the authors’ auspices, represent a contribution to this new “incoming science”. The book is highly recommended to professors, students and professionals in mechanical, civil, environmental, chemical and agricultural engineering. It is also recommended to all the readers interested in the aims, philosophy, structure, design, strategies and overcomes in the use of energy from “solar thermal and biomasses”.