Renewables: From the Fringe to Dominance

Abstract

The use of renewable energy sources is expanding rapidly around the world. This introductory chapter looks at the early days, when the idea of switching over to use ‘alternative energy’ was first mooted on the counter-cultural and environmental movement fringes. It has moved a long way since then, with renewables likely to become the dominant energy source. At least some of the impetus for this transition came from the so-called alternative technology movement, but this chapter argues that the main drivers have been external events like the 1973–1974 oil crisis and then, later on, the growing awareness of the risks and costs of climate change.