Ryan Wiser

Bio: Ryan Wiser is an academic researcher from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The author has contributed to research in topics: Wind power & Renewable energy. The author has an hindex of 59, co-authored 275 publications receiving 11198 citations.

Grand challenges in the science of wind energy

Abstract: Harvested by advanced technical systems honed over decades of research and development, wind energy has become a mainstream energy resource. However, continued innovation is needed to realize the potential of wind to serve the global demand for clean energy. Here, we outline three interdependent, cross-disciplinary grand challenges underpinning this research endeavor. The first is the need for a deeper understanding of the physics of atmospheric flow in the critical zone of plant operation. The second involves science and engineering of the largest dynamic, rotating machines in the world. The third encompasses optimization and control of fleets of wind plants working synergistically within the electricity grid. Addressing these challenges could enable wind power to provide as much as half of our global electricity needs and perhaps beyond.

Using Contingent Valuation to Explore Willingness to Pay for Renewable Energy: A Comparison of Collective and Voluntary Payment Vehicles

Abstract: Using Contingent Valuation to Explore Willingness to Pay for Renewable Energy: A Comparison of Collective and Voluntary Payment Vehicles Ryan H. Wiser 1 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 1 Cyclotron Rd., MS 90-4000, Berkeley, California 94720 Abstract This study uses a split-sample, dichotomous choice contingent valuation survey of 1,574 U.S. residents to explore willingness to pay (WTP) for renewable energy under collective and voluntary payment vehicles, and under government and private provision of the good. We also evaluate the impact of “participation expectations” on stated WTP. We find some evidence that, when confronted with a collective payment mechanism, respondents state a somewhat higher WTP than when voluntary payment mechanisms are used. Similarly, private provision of the good elicits a somewhat higher WTP than does government provision. We also find that contingent valuation responses are strongly correlated with expectations for the WTP of others. Our results shed light on strategic response behavior and the incentive compatibility of different CV designs, and offer practical insight into U.S. household preferences for how to support renewable energy. Keywords: Contingent valuation; Renewable energy; Willingness to pay; Payment vehicles Introduction Some of the most basic questions about the organization and functioning of society involve issues raised by the existence of public goods. With respect to environmental public goods, how should funds used to support environmental improvement be collected and used? In particular, are collective, mandatory payments superior to voluntary, charitable payments due to the possibility of free riding? And to what degree should the government be involved in spending these funds: should Corresponding author. Tel.: 1-510-486-5474; fax: 1-510-486-6996. E-mail address: rhwiser@lbl.gov (Ryan H. Wiser).

Opportunities and challenges for a sustainable energy future

Abstract: Access to clean, affordable and reliable energy has been a cornerstone of the world's increasing prosperity and economic growth since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Our use of energy in the twenty–first century must also be sustainable. Solar and water–based energy generation, and engineering of microbes to produce biofuels are a few examples of the alternatives. This Perspective puts these opportunities into a larger context by relating them to a number of aspects in the transportation and electricity generation sectors. It also provides a snapshot of the current energy landscape and discusses several research and development opportunities and pathways that could lead to a prosperous, sustainable and secure energy future for the world.

Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.

Abstract: Impatti, adattamento e vulnerabilita Le cause e le responsabilita dei cambiamenti climatici sono state trattate sul numero di ottobre della rivista Cda. Approfondiamo l’argomento presentando il documento: “Cambiamenti climatici 2007: impatti, adattamento e vulnerabilita” votato ad aprile 2007 dal secondo gruppo di lavoro del Comitato Intergovernativo sui Cambiamenti Climatici (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). Si tratta del secondo di tre documenti che compongono il quarto rapporto sui cambiamenti climatici.

Climate change 2014 - Mitigation of climate change

Abstract: The talk with present the key results of the IPCC Working Group III 5th assessment report. Concluding four years of intense scientific collaboration by hundreds of authors from around the world, the report responds to the request of the world's governments for a comprehensive, objective and policy neutral assessment of the current scientific knowledge on mitigating climate change. The report has been extensively reviewed by experts and governments to ensure quality and comprehensiveness.

World energy outlook

Abstract: This chapter discusses leading problems linked to energy that the world is now confronting and to propose some ideas concerning possible solutions. Oil deserves special attention among all energy sources. Since the beginning of 1981, it has merely been continuing and enhancing the downward movement in consumption and prices caused by excessive rises, especially for light crudes such as those from Africa, and the slowing down of worldwide economic growth. Densely-populated oil-producing countries need to produce to live, to pay for their food and their equipment. If the economic growth of the industrialized countries were to be 4%, even if investment in the rational use of energy were pushed to the limit and the development of nonpetroleum energy sources were also pursued actively, it would be extremely difficult to prevent a sharp rise in prices. It is evident that it is absolutely necessary to pursue actively the development of coal, natural gas, and nuclear power if a physical shortage of energy is not to block economic growth.

Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems

Abstract: Preface.1 Basic Electric and Magnetic Circuits.1.1 Introduction to Electric Circuits.1.2 Definitions of Key Electrical Quantities.1.3 Idealized Voltage and Current Sources.1.4 Electrical Resistance.1.5 Capacitance.1.6 Magnetic Circuits.1.7 Inductance.1.8 Transformers.2 Fundamentals of Electric Power.2.1 Effective Values of Voltage and Current.2.2 Idealized Components Subjected to Sinusoidal Voltages.2.3 Power Factor.2.4 The Power Triangle and Power Factor Correction.2.5 Three-Wire, Single-Phase Residential Wiring.2.6 Three-Phase Systems.2.7 Power Supplies.2.8 Power Quality.3 The Electric Power Industry.3.1 The Early Pioneers: Edison, Westinghouse, and Insull.3.2 The Electric Utility Industry Today.3.3 Polyphase Synchronous Generators.3.4 Carnot Efficiency for Heat Engines.3.5 Steam-Cycle Power Plants.3.6 Combustion Gas Turbines.3.7 Combined-Cycle Power Plants.3.8 Gas Turbines and Combined-Cycle Cogeneration.3.9 Baseload, Intermediate and Peaking Power Plants.3.10 Transmission and Distribution.3.11 The Regulatory Side of Electric Power.3.12 The Emergence of Competitive Markets.4 Distributed Generation.4.1 Electricity Generation in Transition.4.2 Distributed Generation with Fossil Fuels.4.3 Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) Technologies.4.4 Biomass for Electricity.4.5 Micro-Hydropower Systems.4.6 Fuel Cells.4.6.7 Electrical Characteristics of Real Fuel Cells.4.6.8 Types of Fuel Cells.4.6.9 Hydrogen Production.5 Economics of Distributed Resources.5.1 Distributed Resources (DR).5.2 Electric Utility Rate Structures.5.3 Energy Economics.5.4 Energy Conservation Supply Curves.5.5 Combined Heat and Power (CHP).5.6 Cooling, Heating, and Cogeneration.5.7 Distributed Benefits.5.8 Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) and Demand-Side Management (DSM).6 Wind Power Systems.6.1 Historical Development of Wind Power.6.2 Types of Wind Turbines.6.3 Power in the Wind.6.4 Impact of Tower Height.6.5 Maximum Rotor Efficiency.6.6 Wind Turbine Generators.6.7 Speed Control for Maximum Power.6.8 Average Power in the Wind.6.9 Simple Estimates of Wind Turbine Energy.6.10 Specific Wind Turbine Performance Calculations.6.11 Wind Turbine Economics.7 The Solar Resource.7.1 The Solar Spectrum.7.2 The Earth's Orbit.7.3 Altitude Angle of the Sun at Solar Noon.7.4 Solar Position at any Time of Day.7.5 Sun Path Diagrams for Shading Analysis.7.6 Solar Time and Civil (Clock) Time.7.7 Sunrise and Sunset.7.8 Clear Sky Direct-Beam Radiation.7.9 Total Clear Sky Insolation on a Collecting Surface.7.10 Monthly Clear-Sky Insolation.7.11 Solar Radiation Measurements.7.12 Average Monthly Insolation.8 Photovoltaic Materials and Electrical Characteristics.8.1 Introduction.8.2 Basic Semiconductor Physics.8.3 A Generic Photovoltaic Cell.8.4 From Cells to Modules to Arrays.8.5 The PV I -V Curve Under Standard Test Conditions (STC).8.6 Impacts of Temperature and Insolation on I -V Curves.8.7 Shading impacts on I-V curves.8.8 Crystalline Silicon Technologies.8.9 Thin-Film Photovoltaics.9 Photovoltaic Systems.9.1 Introduction to the Major Photovoltaic System Types.9.2 Current-Voltage Curves for Loads.9.3 Grid-Connected Systems.9.4 Grid-Connected PV System Economics.9.5 Stand-Alone PV Systems.9.6 PV-Powered Water Pumping.APPENDIX A: Useful Conversion Factors.APPENDIX B: Sun-Path Diagrams.APPENDIX C: Hourly Clear-Sky Insolation Tables.APPENDIX D: Monthly Clear-Sky Insolation Tables.APPENDIX E: Solar Insolation Tables byCity.APPENDIX F: Maps of Solar Insolation.Index.