This book discusses a number of important topical technical and non-technical issues related to the global energy, environment and socio-economic developments for professionals and students directly and indirectly involved in the relevant fields. It shows how renewable energy offers solutions to mitigate energy demand and helps achieve a clean environment, and also addresses the lack of a clear vision in the development of technology and a policy to reach the mandatory global renewable energy targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate socio-economic development. The book is structured in such a way that it provides a consistent compilation of fundamental theories, a compendium of current research and development activities as well as new directions to overcome critical limitations; future technologies for power grids and their control, stability and reliability are also presented.

Prospects of Renewable Energy Sources.- Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants: Necessity and Techno-Economical Development.- Development of HTS Cable-Based Transmission Systems for Renewables.- Advanced Electrical Machines for Oceanic Wave Energy Conversion.- Wind Energy System with  Matrix Converter.- Matrix Converter Switching and Commutation Strategies for Grid Integration of Distributed Generation.- Control of Renewable Energy Systems.