Introduction to Renewable Energy

Dr. Vaughn Nelson has been involved with renewable energy, primarily wind energy, since the early 1970s; is the author of six books (five books on CD); has published over 50 articles and reports; was the principal investigator on numerous grants; and has given over 60 workshops and seminars from the local to international level. His primary work has been on wind resource assessment, education and training, applied research and development, and rural applications of wind energy.

Although retired, he is still associated with the Alternative Energy Institute (AEI), West Texas A&M University (WTAMU). He was director of AEI from its inception in 1977 through 2003 and then returned for another year in July 2009. He retired as dean of the Graduate School, Research and Information Technology, WTAMU, in 2001. He taught courses in physics, participated in a joint program with other state universities of physics courses over interactive TV, and also developed online courses in wind energy and solar energy at WTAMU. Dr. Nelson developed the material for a new online course in renewable energy at WTAMU, spring 2010, and this book is the result. He is also the author of Wind Energy, Renewable Energy and the Environment (CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2009).

Dr. Nelson holds a PhD in physics from the University of Kansas; an EdM from Harvard University; and a BSE from Kansas State Teachers College, Emporia. He was at the Departamento de Fisica, Universidad de Oriente, Cumana, Venezuela, for two years and then at WTAMU from 1969 to the present. Dr. Nelson received a lifetime achievement award from the American Wind Energy Association in 2003.