Beyond Smoke and Mirrors


Book Description

Global climate change is one of the most important issues humanity faces today. This updated, second edition assesses the sensible, senseless and biased proposals for averting the potentially disastrous consequences of global warming, allowing the reader to draw their own conclusions on switching to more sustainable energy provision. Burton Richter is a Nobel Prize-winning scientist who has served on many US and international review committees on climate change and energy issues. He provides a concise overview of our knowledge and uncertainties within climate change science, discusses current energy demand and supply patterns, and the energy options available to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. Written in non-technical language, this book presents a balanced view of options for moving from our heavy reliance on fossil fuels into a much more sustainable energy system, and is accessible to a wide range of readers without scientific backgrounds - students, policymakers and the concerned citizen.




High-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for the 21st Century


Book Description

High-temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells, Second Edition, explores the growing interest in fuel cells as a sustainable source of energy. The text brings the topic of green energy front and center, illustrating the need for new books that provide comprehensive and practical information on specific types of fuel cells and their applications. This landmark volume on solid oxide fuel cells contains contributions from experts of international repute, and provides a single source of the latest knowledge on this topic. - A single source for all the latest information on solid oxide fuel cells and their applications - Illustrates the need for new, more comprehensive books and study on the topic - Explores the growing interest in fuel cells as viable, sustainable sources of energy




Energy in the 21st Century


Book Description

Energy may be the most important factor that will influence the shape of society in the 21st century. The cost and availability of energy significantly impacts our quality of life and the health of national economies. This book examines the energy sources that play a vital role in society.




Environment, Power, and Society for the Twenty-First Century


Book Description

Howard T. Odum possessed one of the most innovative minds of the twentieth century. He pioneered the fields of ecological engineering, ecological economics, and environmental accounting, working throughout his life to better understand the interrelationships of energy, environment, and society and their importance to the well-being of humanity and the planet. This volume is a major modernization of Odum's classic work on the significance of power and its role in society, bringing his approach and insight to a whole new generation of students and scholars. For this edition Odum refines his original theories and introduces two new measures: emergy and transformity. These concepts can be used to evaluate and compare systems and their transformation and use of resources by accounting for all the energies and materials that flow in and out and expressing them in equivalent ability to do work. Natural energies such as solar radiation and the cycling of water, carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen are diagrammed in terms of energy and emergy flow. Through this method Odum reveals the similarities between human economic and social systems and the ecosystems of the natural world. In the process, we discover that our survival and prosperity are regulated as much by the laws of energetics as are systems of the physical and chemical world.




System Safety for the 21st Century


Book Description

Summarizes the current state of "front-end" risk-control techniques Many approaches to risk control are possible. However, only through careful reading, evaluation, and study can one make the best choice of a practical philosophy for a system safety program. The goal is to apply the best scientific and engineering principles in the best way, resulting in the soundest and safest possible system. System Safety for the 21st Century provides in-depth coverage of this specialized discipline within the safety profession. Written for both technical and nontechnical reference, this clearly organized text serves as a resource for both students and practitioners. It gives basic and essential information about the identification, evaluation, analysis, and control of hazards in components, systems, subsystems, processes, and facilities. Integrating the changes to the field that have occurred since publication of the first edition, this revised and expanded resource offers: * Logical progression from basics to techniques to applications * New focus on process safety not found in other texts * A new and unique section on professionalism for system safety and other safety practitioners * Presentation of both system safety scope and essentials * Consistent chapter format for easy learning includes an introduction and summary for each chapter * Review questions reinforcing important points * A combination of basis requirements with practical experience * Information on selected techniques to assess hazards and provide management oversight * An updated section on protecting against external events in the light of the global terrorist threat * Critiques of existing systems, including those of the Department of Defense and the * Department of Energy Relevant to industry, academia, and government, System Safety for the 21st Century is an essential resource for anyone studying or implementing proactive hazard identification and risk control techniques and procedures.




Energy for the 21st Century


Book Description

Countries around the world are increasingly looking to liquefied natural gas (LNG) - natural gas that has been cooled until it forms a transportable liquid - to meet growing energy demand. Energy for the 21st Century provides critical insights into the opportunities and challenges LNG faces, including its potential role in a carbon-constrained world.




Geothermal Energy


Book Description

More than 20 countries generate electricity from geothermal resources and about 60 countries make direct use of geothermal energy. A ten-fold increase in geothermal energy use is foreseeable at the current technology level. Geothermal Energy: An Alternative Resource for the 21st Century provides a readable and coherent account of all facets of geothermal energy development and summarizes the present day knowledge on geothermal resources, their exploration and exploitation. Accounts of geothermal resource models, various exploration techniques, drilling and production technology are discussed within 9 chapters, as well as important concepts and current technological developments. - Interdisciplinary approach, combining traditional disciplines such as geology, geophysics, and engineering - Provides a readable and coherent account of all facets of geothermal energy development - Describes the importance of bringing potable water to high-demand areas such as the tropical regions




Renewable Energy


Book Description

In the years since the publication of the first edition of this book, the world has undergone drastic changes in terms of energy sources. This is reflected in the expansion of this second edition from 20 to 26 chapters. The most dramatic occurrence was the Tsunami which struck Japan in March of 2011 and set off a reactor catastrophe at the nuclear power plants in Fukushima. On the other hand fossil fuel technology drives the climate change to a threatening level. So, renewable energy sources are essential for the 21st century. The increasing number of wind power plants, solar collectors and photovoltaic installations demonstrates perceptibly that many innovations for tapping renewable energy sources have matured: very few other technologies have developed so dynamically in the past years. Nearly all the chapters were written by professionals in the respective fields. That makes this book an especially valuable and reliable source of information. The second edition is extended by several new chapters such as tidal power stations, the Desertec project, thermography of buildings and more. Furthermore, the critical debate about current first generation bio-fuels is carefully reflected, and the book presents promising solutions that do not trade in food for fuel. The editors are experienced journalists and illustrate the text with simple diagrams and information boxes, printed in full-color throughout. A valuable resource for applied physicists, engineers in power technology, engineers, and anyone interested in natural sciences.




Global Energy Politics


Book Description

Ever since the Industrial Revolution energy has been a key driver of world politics. From the oil crises of the 1970s to today’s rapid expansion of renewable energy sources, every shift in global energy patterns has important repercussions for international relations. In this new book, Thijs Van de Graaf and Benjamin Sovacool uncover the intricate ways in which our energy systems have shaped global outcomes in four key areas of world politics: security, the economy, the environment and global justice. Moving beyond the narrow geopolitical focus that has dominated much of the discussion on global energy politics, they also deftly trace the connections between energy, environmental politics, and community activism. The authors argue that we are on the cusp of a global energy shift that promises to be no less transformative for the pursuit of wealth and power in world politics than the historical shifts from wood to coal and from coal to oil. This ongoing energy transformation will not only upend the global balance of power; it could also fundamentally transfer political authority away from the nation state, empowering citizens, regions and local communities. Global Energy Politics will be an essential resource for students of the social sciences grappling with the major energy issues of our times.




21st Century Chemistry


Book Description

Waldron 21st Century Chemistry promotes scientific literacy and helps students understand chemistry applications in everyday life. With an exceptionally clear and fresh writing style, Waldron engages non-science majors and provides a focus on environmental topics with Naturebox and Green Beat features. Recurring Themes help students remember fundamental, take-away ideas and concepts so they can apply their knowledge of chemistry as they make choices as consumers, voters and overall informed citizens. The new second edition of 21st Century Chemistry will include: new content featuring fresh stories for roughly four of the Naturebox features and roughly three of the GreenBeats features. refreshed end-of-chapter content, including questions encouraging students to research their local environment using web resources. media tools focused on a few key resources that address engagement and reading support, including videos of current events and real-world applications, and LearningCurve reading quizzes. VitalSource e-Book.