This far-reaching resource covers a full spectrum of multi-faceted considerations critical for energy generation decision makers considering the adoption or expansion of wind power facilities. It contextualizes pivotal technical information within the real complexities of economic, environmental, practical and socio-economic parameters. This matrix of coverage includes case studies and analysis from developed and developing regions, including North America and Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle-East and Africa. Crucial issues to power generation professionals and utilities such as: capacity credits; fuel saving; intermittency; penetration limits; relative cost of electricity by generation source; growth and cost trends; incentives; and wind integration issues are addressed. Other economic issues succinctly discussed inform financial commitment to a project, including investment matrices, strategies for economic evaluations, econometrics of wind energy, cost comparisons of various investment strategies, and cost comparisons with other energy sources. Due to its encompassing scope, this reference will be of distinct interest to practicing engineers, policy and decision makers, project planners, investors and students working in the area of wind energy for power generation.

Dr. K.R. Rao is Founder and President of KRRAO Consultants, leveraging his degrees in Civil Engineering and Urban Planning to provide project management in Operations Research, Quantitative Techniques, Urban & Regional Planning and Urban Design, Public Policy Issues and Mechanical / Structural Engineering. Dr. Rao is licensed as a Professional Engineer in PA and TX, USA, and is a Chartered Engineer in India. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and Fellow of the Institution of Engineers, India. His professional experience over the last five decades includes civil, structural, design and mechanical engineering as applied to the fields of architecture and urban design, urban and regional planning, automotive, aluminum and steel manufacturing. Dr. Rao is an editor of pivotal ASME publications including, "Handbook of Energy and Power Generation" and "Companion Guide to ASME Boiler Vessel Codes and Standards".

From the Contents: Introduction and Background.- Wind Regimes, Wind Energy Resources, Potentials and Limitations.- Wind Energy Properties, Characteristics and Wind Speed Formulations.- Turbine Types and Classes.- Turbine Components and Materials.- Basic Principles, Theories and Kinetics of Wind Energy.