Renewable energy (RE) is a subject of great interest today. It is one of the two main means for implementing climate change mitigation programmes, and presently the only perceived means for replacing the declining global fossil-fuel reserves. It also helps fight poverty and assists in the global quest for gender equity by taking clean energy where it is needed most for development.

It is perhaps not surprising therefore, that there is so much coverage of RE by media and tech writers, economists and bloggers, many of who only have a partial understanding of the technology itself. The result is mostly promotional rhetoric that says little about the true value of the technology and leads to a confused picture for the serious individual or decision-maker who wants to know what the technology is really capable of doing.

Talking Renewables provides a clear and factual picture of the status of RE and its capabilities today. It is largely a non-technical book in nature but does however cover enough of the science and technology to enable readers to go further with their own investigations should they wish to. It looks at all areas of RE, starting with biomass energy and hydropower, and proceeding to wind, solar and geothermal energy before ending with an overview of ocean energy. The last two chapters consider how the technologies are being implemented today and their roles in climate change mitigation and poverty alleviation, and looks at the future of renewable energy.