Energy for a sustainable world: from the oil age to a sun-powered future

An easy read, balancing the pros and cons, this book surveys the energy issuefrom 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 worldin 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 andother 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. INDICE: PART I - LIVING ON SPACESHIP EARTH The Energy Challenge The Concepts and Misconcepts Energy in History PART II - FOSSIL FUELS Oil Natural Gas Coal Fossil Legacy PART III - NUCLEAR ENERGY Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion PARTIV - RENEWABLE ENERGIES Solar Energy Basics Solar Heat and Electricity Solar Fuels Other Renewables PART V - ENERGY VECTORS Electricity The Hydrogen Economy PART VI - SCENARIOS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE The Challenge Ahead

• ISBN: 978-3-527-32540-5
• Editorial: Wiley-VCH
• Encuadernacion: Rústica
• Páginas: 376
• Fecha Publicación: 15/12/2010
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés