Renewable energy finance

Imperial College Press's latest book on "Renewable Energy Finance" reveals how putting the brakes on climate change is not a question of science and technology but rather one of financial commitment and political will.

A collection of leading academic and financial experts describe how clean energy future can be achieved by simply providing the renewable energy industry with access to the same sources of cheap financing that are used by the fossil fuel industry.

Author and Book Editor Charles W. Donovan, Principal Teaching Fellow at Imperial College Business School in London, argues that in a free market, clean energy would be an attractive proposition for investors seeking stable, long-term income. But this isn't yet a level playing field; governments make the rules and the rules still favor (and heavily subsidize) investment in fossil fuels.

Despite the cards being stacked against it, the installation of renewable energy technologies has grown remarkably in recent years. To take just one example, solar PV capacity has grown at 30%+ per annum throughout the most recent financial crisis and now attracts more than $80 billion in new investment globally each year. But growth patterns across countries are far from equal. In countries where access to finance has not been a part of the policy agenda, there is stagnation. In countries where governments have supported new financing methods, renewable energy production has soared.

The book gives readers a unique insiders' perspective on how renewable energy deals actually get done, and is a go-to reference manual for understanding how to fund investment projects in renewable energy. Drawing together contributions from senior finance executives and academic thought-leaders, Renewable Energy Finance is, as noted by Lord Browne of Madingley in his Foreword, "an essential reference point for professionals working in the energy industry today."

More information:
This set is sold in major book stores at US$78 / £51. More information on the book can be found at www.worldscientific.com/worlds … ibooks/10.1142/p1030

Provided by World Scientific Publishing