Energy and Climate

Despite global concerns over dwindling resources, climate change and carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels still account for more than 80% of the world s energy demands. As resources diminish and demand increases from rapidly developing nations such as China and India, the threat to both our environment and the security of our energy supply continues to grow. There is an immediate need to move towards a clean and more sustainable energy model, and this transition will require unprecedented innovation. Energy & Climate: How to achieve a successful energy transition covers all the technology options available and summarises key information from the International Energy Agency and other leading organisations, providing a detailed technological roadmap for this transition which aims to avoid both ecological and economic disaster. Topics that are analysed and discussed in this edition are: More energy efficient technologies New developments in fossil fuels Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy and biofuels Hydrogen as an energy vector New energy storage systems Hybrid vehicles Capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxide Written and translated by the former Director for Sustainable Development at IFP, Energy & Climate: How to achieve a successful energy transition is an essential introductory book for scientists and researchers working in energy and climate-related topics as well as all those interested in how to manage a sustainable energy supply while still reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions.

Despite global concerns over dwindling resources, climate changeand carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels still account for morethan 80% of the world's energy demands. As resources diminishand demand increases from rapidly developing nations such as Chinaand India, the threat to both our environment and the security ofour energy supply continues to grow. There is an immediate need tomove towards a clean and more sustainable energy model, and thistransition will require unprecedented innovation.Energy & Climate: How to achieve a successful energytransition covers all the technology options available andsummarises key information from the International Energy Agency andother leading organisations, providing a detailed technologicalroadmap for this transition which aims to avoid both ecological andeconomic disaster. Topics that are analysed and discussed inthis edition are:* More energy efficient technologies* New developments in fossil fuels* Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy andbiofuels* Hydrogen as an energy vector* New energy storage systems* Hybrid vehicles* Capture and long-term storage of carbon dioxideWritten and translated by the former Director for SustainableDevelopment at IFP, Energy & Climate: How to achieve asuccessful energy transition is an essential introductory bookfor scientists and researchers working in energy andclimate-related topics as well as all those interested in how tomanage a sustainable energy supply while still reducing harmfulcarbon dioxide emissions.

SCI Preface.Preface.About the Author.Introduction.1. Energy in a Globalised World.The fundamental role of energy in the economy.Current predominance of fossil energies.Uses of energy.Restricted number of suppliers.Energy and globalisation of the economy.The increasing role of the emerging countries Future outlook.2. Growing Risks Ahead.The risks associated with energy consumption.The growing demand.Unequal access to energy.Risks for the long-term energy supply.Greater vulnerability of consumer countries.Dependency of transport on oil.Effects of energy consumption on the environment at local and regional levels.Risks for the environment at world level.Growing threats.Interruption in the supply of hydrocarbons.An environmental disaster.3. The Threat of Climate Change.A major risk for the planet.The greenhouse effect.The impact of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change.Symptoms of climate change.Positive retroaction and tipping points.Kyoto protocol and post-Kyoto.The factor 4 problem.The current trend.Urgency of the actions to be undertaken.4. The Essential Energy Transition.The need for change.Threats to be removed.Acting from a perspective of sustainable development.The need for global regulation and governance.Energy alternatives.A long transition.Making the transition.The need to innovate.Means of action.Energy supply and demand axis.Carbon balance axis.A global transition.5. Reducing Energy Consumption, while Protecting the Environment.From megawatts to negawatts.The evolution of the energy intensity.Renewing the organisation of housing and Transport.Towards the positive energy building.Reduction of energy consumption in the transport sector.Hybrid propulsion.Energy storage.New agricultural production modes.More efficient industrial processes.Waste treatment and materials recycling.Research actions required.6. Reducing the Energy Carbon Content.The carbon content of the primary energy supply.Carbon intensity.Energy carbon content reduction pathways.Revival of nuclear energy.Renewable energy prospects.Wind energy: an already mature energy.The promise of solar energy.Advantages and limitations of geothermal energy.Biomass energy and biofuels: potentialities and risks.The role of hydrogen.Hybridisation of sources.Research actions required.7. Securing the Supplies of Fossil Fuels.The role of fossil fuels.The end of abundant and cheap oil.Oil reserves: the present situation.Towards a more technological oil.Extra-heavy oils and shales.Natural gas.The comeback of coal.Synthetic fuels.Research actions required.8. CO2 Capture and Storage.Stakes ahead.Carbon sinks.CO2 capture and transport.Geological storage.Storage in depleted oil and gas fields.Storage in deep saline aquifers.Storage in unexploited coal seams.Industrial applications of CO2 capture and storage.Geological storage operations worldwide.Legal and social framework for geological storage.Longer term perspectives: mineral sequestration and CO2 recycling.The role of CO2 geological storage.Research actions required.9. How to Ensure the Energy Transition?The conditions required for a successful transition.Implementing an acceptable evolution scenario.Reaching the required goals.Future outlook.Ensuring technological progress.A new lifestyle.A new project for the future society.Conclusion.Appendices.Appendix 1 - Energy and power.Appendix 2 - Conversions and equivalences between units.Appendix 3 - Abbreviations and acronyms.References.Web sites.Index.