Renewable energy in cities.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

I. THE RIGHT KIND OF ENERGY PLANNING -- 1. Making the Best Use of Scarce Resources -- 2. The Natural Context: Climate and Resources -- 3. Land Use and Energy -- 4. City Buildings -- 5. Energy Supply and Distribution -- 6. Socio-economic Factors -- II. TECHNOLOGIES -- 7. Supplying Domestic Hot Water -- 8. Heating Buildings -- 9. Cooling Buildings -- 10. Community Heating and Cooling Systems -- III. POWER AND FUELS -- 11. Electricity -- 12. Industrial Process Heat -- 13. Fuels from Renewable Resources.

Since research for this study began in 1979, the renewable energy scene has changed in several ways, some of which have hastened solar development whereas others have set it back. The most visible change occurred in the Federal solar research and development budget, which dropped from almost 00 million in 1981 to about 75 million in 1984. Efforts at demonstration and commercialization were virtually eliminated during this period as federal priorities shifted to long-range, high-risk research. Moreover, the Solar Bank, which subsidizes loans to low- and middle-income people for solar and conservation measures, is now receiving only 5 million a year instead of the 00 million originally authorized. The economic recession of 1981 and 1982 also hurt solar development. The demand for new housing dropped dramatically, and builders were reluctant to adopt conservation measures, solar systems, or anything else that would boost the price of a new home. Likewise, individuals and city governments had less money to spend on renewable energy investments. When oil prices finally stabilized in 1983 and the housing slump ended, energy seemed a less pressing issue than it had been during the "energy crisis."