Energy for a Sustainable World

An easy read, balancing the pros and cons, this book surveys the energy issue from a broad scientific perspective while considering environmental, economic, and social factors. It explains the basic concepts, provides a historical overview of energy resources, assesses our unsustainable energy system based on fossil fuels, and shows that the energy crisis is not only a tough challenge, but also an unprecedented opportunity to become more concerned about the world in which we live and the society we have built up. By outlining the alternatives for today and the future, it gives an extensive overview on nuclear energy, solar thermal and photovoltaics, solar fuels, wind power, ocean energies and other renewables, highlighting the increasing importance of electricity and the long-term perspectives of a hydrogen-based economy. An excellent source of updated and carefully documented information on the entangled aspects of the energy issue, this book is a guide for scientists, students and teachers looking for ways out of the energy and climate crisis, and the problems and disparities generated during the fossil fuel era.

Ausgewogen, kompetent und ohne Polemik bereiten die Autoren dieses Bandes das Thema "Energie der Zukunft" für ein breites Publikum ohne spezielle Vorkenntnisse auf. Alle wichtigen Alternativen werden aus ökonomischer, sozialer und umweltbezogener Sicht besprochen.

PrefacePART I: Living on Spaceship EarthTHE ENERGY CHALLENGEOur Spaceship EarthAn Unsustainable Growth in an Unequal WorldEnergy and Climate CrisisDealing with ChangeUnavoidable QuestionsCONCEPTS AND MISCONCEPTSThe Elusive Definition of EnergyA Taste of Basic PrinciplesConverting Primary Energy into Useful EnergyIt Takes Energy to Make Energy: The EROIEmbodied EnergyEnergy Units and ConversionsThe Immense Energy and Power ScalesSome Energy Key ParametersEnergy Pervasiveness Versus Energy IlliteracyKey Numbers: An Abacus for Energy LiteracyENERGY IN HISTORYHistoria Magistra VitaeAnimal PowerHuman Slaves and Energy SlavesWaterwheels and WindwheelsFrom Wood to CoalSteam-Powered MachinesRoad VehiclesAircraftConventional EnginesJet EnginesElectricityEarly DevelopmentFrom Wayfarers to ICTPART II: Fossil FuelsOILWhat is OilOil History, Exploration, Drilling, ProductionOil TransportationOil RefiningOil StorageUnconventional OilPetrochemicalsOil as a FuelAmerica's Addiction to OilOil PriceOil Peak and ReservesNATURAL GASWhat is Natural Gas and Where It Comes FromGas Properties and DefinitionsBrief Historical Notes on Gas ExploitationGas Production, Consumption, and ReservesLiquefied Natural Gas (LNG)Natural Gas ProcessingTransport, Storage, and DistributionGas Uses: Energy and FeedstockUnconventional GasCOALWhat is CoalCoal ExtractionCoal Transportation and Industrial UsesCoal GasificationCoal Production, Consumption, and ReservesCarbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS)Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC)FOSSIL LEGACYThe Energy Dark SidesAlteration of the Carbon Cycle by Fossil Fuel CombustionAnthropogenic Climate ChangeAir Pollution and Global WarmingCounterbalancing our Climate InfluencePutting a Limit to CO2Air Pollution and Human HealthLand and Water DegradationSo, What?PART III: Nuclear EnergyNUCLEAR ENERGYPrinciples of Nuclear Fission and FusionPower from Nuclear FissionCivilian Use of Nuclear Fusion?PART IV: Renewable EnergiesSOLAR ENERGY BASICSThe Origin of SunshineSolar Radiation and AttenuationAbundant, Fairly Distributed, VitalSun's Limits: Dilution and IntermittencyThe Conversion of Solar Energy: Heat, Fuels, ElectricitySOLAR HEAT AND ELECTRICITYPassive Solar Harnessing in BuildingsThermal Conversion: Unconcentrated Solar FluxThermal Conversion: Concentrated Solar FluxThe Birth and Rise of PhotovoltaicsInorganic Photovoltaics: Key PrinciplesSilicon Solar CellsThin Film Solar CellsOrganic Solar CellsConcentrated Photovoltaics and Other Innovative ConceptsPhotovoltaics: Global Installation and Market TrendsSolar Energy: Sustainable and AffordableSOLAR FUELSIntroductionNatural PhotosynthesisBiomass and BiofuelsFuture Options for Transportation FuelsArtificial PhotosynthesisDye-Sensitized Solar CellsThe Solar Fuel ChallengeOTHER RENEWABLESHydroelectric EnergyWind EnergyOcean EnergiesGeothermal EnergyPART V: Energy CarriersELECTRICITYBasic ConceptsIlluminationTraditional Power GenerationTraditional Electricity GridPower Generation from New RenewablesEnergy Storage for Electricity Supply NetworksPlugging-In TransportationSmart GridTowards an Electricity Powered WorldHYDROGENIntroductionProperties and Industrial UsesHydrogen as an Energy Carrier: The Scale of the TaskMethods for Producing HydrogenHydrogen StorageHydrogen Transportation and DistributionEnd Uses of Hydrogen FuelHydrogen Powered VehiclesTowards a Hydrogen Economy?PART VI: Scenarios for a Sustainable FutureTHE CHALLENGE AHEADReflection on the State of Our Planet: Now We KnowEnergy Demand and SupplyEnergy and the Quality of LifeSaving the ClimatePhasing Out Fossil FuelsAvoiding Nuclear EnergyEcological SustainabilityWhy We Need to Develop Renewable EnergiesConclusionAPPENDIXDid You Know That...?