One of the most important issues facing humanity today is the prospect of global climate change, brought about primarily by our prolific energy use and heavy dependence on fossil fuels. Fueling Our Future: An Introduction to Sustainable Energy provides a concise overview of current energy demand and supply patterns. It presents a balanced view of how our reliance on fossil fuels can be changed over time so that we have a much more sustainable energy system in the near future. Written in a non-technical and accessible style, the book will appeal to a wide range of readers without scientific backgrounds.
Author(s): Robert L. Evans
Edition: 1
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2007
Language: English
Commentary: 34553
Pages: 195
Cover......Page 1
Half-title......Page 3
Title......Page 5
Copyright......Page 6
Contents......Page 7
Preface......Page 9
Acknowledgments......Page 11
Glossary......Page 12
Part I Setting the scene......Page 15
1 Introduction......Page 17
2 The energy conversion chain......Page 24
3.1 Localized environmental concerns......Page 32
3.2 Global environmental concerns......Page 35
3.3 Adaptation and mitigation......Page 48
Bibliography......Page 49
Part II The global energy demand and supply balance......Page 51
4 World energy demand......Page 53
Bibliography......Page 59
5.1 World energy sources......Page 60
5.2 Fossil fuel resources......Page 65
5.3 The global demand–supply balance......Page 72
Bibliography......Page 76
Part III New and sustainable energy sources......Page 77
6.1 New sources of oil and gas......Page 79
6.2 Clean coal processes......Page 84
6.3 Carbon mitigation......Page 89
Bibliography......Page 94
7.1 Introduction......Page 95
7.2.1 Solar thermal energy systems......Page 97
7.2.2 Photovoltaic solar electricity generation......Page 101
7.3 Wind energy......Page 108
7.4 Biomass energy......Page 114
7.5 Hydroelectric power......Page 117
7.6 Ocean energy......Page 119
7.7 Geothermal energy......Page 124
Bibliography......Page 127
8.1 Introduction......Page 129
8.2 Light-water reactors......Page 130
8.3 Heavy-water reactors......Page 134
8.4 Other reactor types......Page 136
8.5 Advanced reactor designs......Page 138
8.6 Nuclear power and sustainability......Page 142
8.7 Nuclear power economics and public acceptance......Page 149
Bibliography......Page 152
Part IV Towards a sustainable energy balance......Page 153
9.1 Transportation energy use......Page 155
9.2 Road vehicles......Page 158
9.3 Trains, planes, and ships......Page 176
Bibliography......Page 178
10 Achieving a sustainable energy balance......Page 179
Bibliography......Page 189
Appendix: Energy conversion factors......Page 190
Index......Page 191
