Author Description

Over the last decade or so, renewable energy technology has moved from the margins to the mainstream. Where it was once a utopian dream, British experts now talk of a huge market for the UK renewable energy industry, and the government's Renewable Energy Advisory Group estimates that renewable sources could contribute as much as 20% of the UK's electricity requirement by the year 2025. The UK first entered the renewable energy field in 1974, after the first oil crisis. Since then, a total of 230 million pounds has been spent on research and development projects. Wave power was one of the front runners; millions were spent on it before the "deep sea" wave program folded in 1982. The decision to abandon the program was the focus for many debates in which the author took a vigorous part. His book, Energy From the Waves, first published in 1979, provided unique coverage for the general reader, as well as for students of renewable energy. He has since followed the twists and turns of the debate over wave power, not exactly endearing himself to the energy establishment, but providing readers with many fascinating accounts of decision-making processes. This is a continuation of the study of power waves, and because the issues it touches upon are more urgent than ever, it should interest not only engineers and environmentalists, but the general public as well.