Renewable Energy: A Primer for the Twenty-First Century (Columbia University Earth Institute Sustainability Primers)

An absolute must read for everyone who wants to understand how renewable energy and electric vehicles will provide the the greatest and most urgent energy transformation in history. Don’t let the understated title fool you. This book is far beyond some boring scholarly work. It is a well written and researched fascinating guide that gives you a front row seat in viewing the dazzling future these technologies are rapidly providing. Professor Usher’s work is not the first book to describe how solar PV and electric vehicles will grow to dominate our energy future. Exponential Solar was written more than a dozen years before using the PV learning curve that had recently been identified showing a 20% cost decline for every doubling of cumulative solar PV production. At the time it was written in 2006 the total annual energy produced by all the solar cells in the world was barely equal to one large coal fired power plant and seeing any plug-in electric vehicle was a rare sight. Exponential Solar audaciously showed how solar PV could be producing all the electric energy needed to power all the homes, businesses, and vehicles in the entire world by 2055. To some this may have seemed wildly optimistic in 2006. But Professor Usher’s work proves that solar PV and electric vehicles are well ahead of the cost decline and growth timeline laid out in Exponential Solar. The two books validate each other. Usher’s up to date data and analysis implies the need to burn fossil fuels for electricity and transportation could be nearly eliminated as early as the 2030s. And Usher makes a compelling case for this transformation to happen quickly to avoid the worst consequences of global warming.

I would rate this book with six stars if I could. I recently made a career pivot to renewable energy and have been reading to gain a broader and deeper understanding of the field. This is the single best book I have found on the subject. I came away much better informed, and I also enjoyed the book thoroughly, it's honestly a page turner. The author is excellent at crafting a concise narrative to describe and illustrate the the concepts. If you want to understand the energy transition we are all living in, and the energy transitions that came before, this is a must read!

It’s a great book with multiple well thought insights: analysis of energy transformations from the past (bio to coal to oil to gas) is used to plan what most likely will happen with renewables in the upcoming decades. There is a good research about electric vehicles and storage and it’s relationship with renewable energy development. It’s the book about business and markets, not a technology book. The book is well written in a simple language, easy to understand for anyone with or without experience in the field. Great read for anyone who wants to understand more.

Being a renewable energy investment professional, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to take Professor Usher's Climate Finance class, one of the most oversubscribed classes, at Columbia Business School. This is so far the best overview type of book to renewable energy I have read, the book covers everything you need to know about the broad subject to establish a solid foundation for people who want to go deeper into each specific carbon reduction solutions. Highly recommend this book to EVERYONE, regardless of background. In my opinion, it is essential for everyone in the business community to know the basics of renewable energy in 2021, when climate change is arguably the biggest issue facing the mankind over the next 10 to 30 years. 5 out of 5 on this and greatly look forward to Professor Usher's next book!

Mr. Usher pulls together data and events across time, countries and industries and provides us with insights and a comprehensive view into how our sources of energy, that drives our economy and every day living (our existence), has evolved overtime and the on going transition to renewables. He shares with us how to level the playing field when measuring different sources of energy and where the tipping point has happened in the past and how we are close to that happening with renewable sources. He also touches on winners and losers during this transition and some of the great inovations now being adopted, like V2G. This book is a great primer and I can see it being used in government policy discussions and consumer education. I hope Mr. Usher continues this line of thinking and delivers more insights in the near future. Grant Lawrence

An extremely well written book on an extremely important topic. It's a very easy to read and provides the reader with an excellent foundational understanding of the energy space. Loved it.

With heightened urgency on climate change issues, this book can quickly raise the level of energy literacy for all. Written objectively and well-organized, the book provides concise historical context to grasp the current state and understand forward challenges/opportunities. Despite the pre-COVID writing date, there is no impact to its relevancy. Focus areas are wind, solar and EV's. As an energy novice, soak it in. For the professional, the comprehensive review will surprise in its history of energy transitions and offer insights on the remaining hurdles for financing, parity and convergence.

This book was not only informative but also easy to understand. The content is both interesting and scary. Great read for those interested in knowing what the future looks like for the transportation and energy industries.

It is an easy book to read and perfect for an intro on renewable energies with some numbers and citations

目新しい事は何も無かった。再エネの変遷と 現状、今後の課題を述べている。 Nothing new. Mentioning the transition/current situation and challenging issues of Renewable energy.

Renewable energy is an important but intimidating topic to bring up in any conversation. In this primer, Brian Usher explains in a clear, intelligible and balanced manner the rise of renewable energy. Using examples and data makes a compelling case (in a concise manner) for the transition by outlining the issues and opportunities; and sets out the potential winners and losers-individuals, businesses and countries. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who is interested in RE but demoralised by information overload.

Very informative and interesting book to read. Recommended to everyone.

This book offers a superb primer on the state of the market at the present time. Enough detail to answer your questions, without any unnecessary additional waffle. Factual, enjoyable, and well written, an excellent book.