Library

This is a selection of publications on renewable energy policies at the local level.  

Climate Design, Edited by: P. Droege and AECOM, Published Fall 2009

Report: 100% Renewable Energy-- and Beyond-- for Cities
Written for the World Future Council and HafenCity University
Hamburg Commission on Cities and Climate Change
Published March 2010
Summary: This report examines the options available to cities as they seek to develop their energy plans to become more sustainable.  It offers advice on how to build energy strategies at the city level, and includes some interesting models. More...

Climate Design, Edited by: P. Droege and AECOM, Published Fall 2009

Book: Climate Design
Edited by: P. Droege and AECOM
Published Fall 2009
Summary: Climate Design focuses on radical design and planning measures for combating climate change, and for attempting to adjust to life on a warming planet. It explores both the current paradigm shift and design and planning practice – and how to apply professional expertise to mitigate the human causes of climate change, and adapt to its already inevitable impacts. More...

Paper: Elements of a Sustainable Solar City
Author: Solar America Cities
Published 2008
Summary: This report guides local governments in creating a solar energy plan for their communities.  It includes information on financial and technical aspects of solar power based energy. More...

Energizing Cities (Chapter in: The State of the World 2007: Our Urban Future) Authors: Hughes, K., and Sawin, J. Published in 2007, World Watch Institute, Washington, D.C.

Chapter: Energizing Cities
In: The State of the World 2007: Our Urban Future
Authors: Hughes, K., and Sawin, J.
Published in 2007 by the World Watch Institute, Washington, D.C.
Summary: This chapter guides the reader through the opportunities that exist to enable cities to make the switch to sustainable energy production and use, and do their part in the fight against climate change. More...

"Energy Storage: A Nontechnical Guide" Author: Baxter, R. Published in 2006 by PenWell

Book: "Energy Storage: A Nontechnical Guide"
Author: Baxter, R.
Published in 2006 by PenWell
Summary: This book provides an overview of emerging energy storage technologies, and the various uses these storage technologies have in the electrical market.
Where to get this publication: It is available from many bookstores, online bookstores are recommended.

Paper: "Energy Sustainable Communities: Experiences, Success Factors and Opportunities in the EU-25"

Paper: "Energy Sustainable Communities: Experiences, Success Factors and Opportunities in the EU-25"
Authors: Many
Published in 2004 by EREC - European Renewable Energy Council, Renewable Energy House
Summary: One of the Top Ten documents, this paper is an excellent guidance tool. This document offers a structured approach to developing an energy sustainable community. More...

Hammarby Sjöstad-- A Unique Environmental Project in Stockholm Authors: Glashus Ett Published: June 2007

Booklet: Hammarby Sjöstad-- A Unique Environmental Project in Stockholm
Authors: Glashus Ett
Published: June 2007
Summary: This booklet gives an overview of the concept and implementation of Hammarby Sjöstad, an eco-friendly neighborhood in Stockholm, Sweden.  Solar energy, district heating and biogas/ biomass production at the water treatment plant are all a part of Hammarby Sjöstad's unique infrastructure.  Click here to download the booklet. Or read more on the website...

“The Health Impact of Wind Turbines: A Review of the Current White, Grey, and Published Literature.” Authors: Colby, D. Published June 2008, by Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit.

Report: “The Health Impact of Wind Turbines: A Review of the Current White, Grey, and Published Literature.”
Authors: Colby, D.
Published June 2008, by Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit.
Summary:  The report reviews current findings and literature on the health and safety issues associated with wind turbines. More...

Book: Local Governments and Climate Change
Editors: Maryke van Staden and Francesco Musco
Published in 2010
Summary: The focus of Local Governments and Climate Change is on how small and medium-sized communities in Europe are effectively responding to climate change, with a particular focus on different approaches used in sustainable energy planning and implementation. A number of cases presented show the result of different (and often combined) motivations and actions.
More...

London Housing Design Guide Author: London Developing Agency Released in July 2009

Booklet: London Housing Design Guide
Author: London Developing Agency
Released in July 2009
A Housing Design Guide for the city of London which includes information about climate change mitigation and adaptation can be found here.

Paper: "Planning to make the future renewable. The role of Local Authorities in renewable energy resource assessments."
Author: Michael Harper
Published 1993
Summary: An appreciation at a local level of the planning implications of the development of renewable energy is of critical importance for the successful introduction of renewable energy into any country. For the U.K., despite the need for major changes to national policy, a format for development is gradually taking shape. However, the formation of policy at a local level requires further attention... More...

Renewable City: A Comprehensive Guide to an Urban Revolution Author: Droege, P. Published in 2006 by Wiley-Academy, Chichester, United Kingdom

Book: Renewable City: A Comprehensive Guide to an Urban Revolution
Author: Droege, P.
Published in 2006 by Wiley-Academy, Chichester, United Kingdom
Summary: In the Renewable City, Peter Droege takes an in-depth look at the pervasiveness of fossil fuels in city infrastructure, and the opporutnities available to cities that undergo an urban energy revolution. The book is descriptive yet offers guidance.
Where to get this publication: It is available from many bookstores, online bookstores are recommended.

Paper: "Renewable Energy and the City"
Author: Peter Droege, World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE)
Published 2004
Summary: We live in a rapidly urbanizing world, to a large extent due to the overwhelming role of fossil fuel, its economic influence and technological power. Because of this fossil fuel dependence, cities and city regions are central and fertile settings for effective energy policy, programs and
projects. More...

Renewable Revolution: Low-Carbon Energy by 2030

Report: Renewable Revolution: Low-Carbon Energy by 2030
Written by: Janet L. Sawin and William R. Moomaw
Published 2009
Summary: This report highlights the importance of combining the use of renewable energy with increasing energy efficiency.  Click here to download the report. 

Small is Profitable Author: Lovins, A., et al. Published in 2004 by the Rocky Mountain Institute

Book: Small is Profitable
Author: Lovins, A., et al.
Published in 2004 by the Rocky Mountain Institute
Summary: This free online book is an excellent resource for various actors to understand the value of renewable energy as a distributed resource, giving an overview of technical, economic, and policy elements. More...

"Solar Photovoltaic Financing: Deployment on Public Property by State and Local Governents." Authors: Cory, K., Coughlin, J., and Coggeshall, C. Published 2008 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Report: "Solar Photovoltaic Financing: Deployment on Public Property by State and Local Governents."
Authors: Cory, K., Coughlin, J., and Coggeshall, C.
Published 2008 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
Summary: State and local governments have grown increasingly aware of the economic, environmental, and societal benefits of taking a lead role in U.S. implementation of renewable energy, particularly distributed photovoltaic (PV) installations. Recently, solar energy's cost premium has declined as a result of technology improvements and an increase in the cost of traditional energy generation. At the same time, a nationwide public policy focus on carbon-free, renewable energy has created a wide range of financial incentives to lower the costs of deploying PV even further. More...

Paper: "Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments" Author: Solar America Cities Published 2009

Paper: "Solar Powering Your Community: A Guide for Local Governments"
Author: Solar America Cities
Published 2009
Summary: This report has been developed by the United States Department of Energy, through it's Solar America Cities partnership, to assist local governments in developing solar energy markets in their jurisdictions....More...

Paper: “Using Local Improvement Charges to Finance Energy Efficiency Improvements: Applicability Across Canada”
Authors: Peters, R.; Whitmore, J.; and Home, M.
Published in 2005, by the Pembina Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
Summary: This paper presents a novel way of financing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, something that is under the control of municipalities, and enabling the municipality to overcome one significant barrier to the further uptake of renewable energy : by providing access to finance. More...

"Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business." Author: Gipe, P. Published in 2004 by Chelsea Green Publishing Company, Chelsea, Vermont.

Book: "Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business."
Author: Gipe, P.
Published in 2004 by Chelsea Green Publishing Company, Chelsea, Vermont.
Summary: This book is a comprehensive guide to wind energy clearly and concisely explains the technology, provides case studies and examples of wind applications.
How to get this book: This book is available from most online bookstores.

“Wind Energy Easement and Lease Agreements.” Authors: Nardi, R., and Daniels, J. Published in 2005 by Windustry, Minneapolis, MN

Paper: “Wind Energy Easement and Lease Agreements.”
Authors: Nardi, R., and Daniels, J.
Published in 2005 by Windustry, Minneapolis, MN.
Summary: This document provides guidelines that explain the concept and processes surrounding land leases and easements for wind energy. Easements and leases are common ways for landowners to enter agreements with wind developers. More...