Molecular Biology of The Cell
Author : Bruce Alberts
Publisher :
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 46,18 MB
Release : 2002
Category : Cytology
ISBN : 9780815332183
Energy and Civilization
Author : Vaclav Smil
Publisher : MIT Press
Page : 564 pages
File Size : 42,17 MB
Release : 2018-11-13
Category : Science
ISBN : 0262536161
Book Description
A comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society throughout history, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. "I wait for new Smil books the way some people wait for the next 'Star Wars' movie. In his latest book, Energy and Civilization: A History, he goes deep and broad to explain how innovations in humans' ability to turn energy into heat, light, and motion have been a driving force behind our cultural and economic progress over the past 10,000 years. —Bill Gates, Gates Notes, Best Books of the Year Energy is the only universal currency; it is necessary for getting anything done. The conversion of energy on Earth ranges from terra-forming forces of plate tectonics to cumulative erosive effects of raindrops. Life on Earth depends on the photosynthetic conversion of solar energy into plant biomass. Humans have come to rely on many more energy flows—ranging from fossil fuels to photovoltaic generation of electricity—for their civilized existence. In this monumental history, Vaclav Smil provides a comprehensive account of how energy has shaped society, from pre-agricultural foraging societies through today's fossil fuel–driven civilization. Humans are the only species that can systematically harness energies outside their bodies, using the power of their intellect and an enormous variety of artifacts—from the simplest tools to internal combustion engines and nuclear reactors. The epochal transition to fossil fuels affected everything: agriculture, industry, transportation, weapons, communication, economics, urbanization, quality of life, politics, and the environment. Smil describes humanity's energy eras in panoramic and interdisciplinary fashion, offering readers a magisterial overview. This book is an extensively updated and expanded version of Smil's Energy in World History (1994). Smil has incorporated an enormous amount of new material, reflecting the dramatic developments in energy studies over the last two decades and his own research over that time.
The Material Basis of Energy Transitions
Author : Alena Bleicher
Publisher : Academic Press
Page : 258 pages
File Size : 42,48 MB
Release : 2020-08-05
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 0128235543
Book Description
The Material Basis of Energy Transitions explores the intersection between critical raw material provision and the energy system. Chapters draw on examples and case studies involving energy technologies (e.g., electric power, transport) and raw material provision (e.g., mining, recycling), and consider these in their regional and global contexts. The book critically discusses issues such as the notion of criticality in the context of a circular economy, approaches for estimating the need for raw materials, certification schemes for raw materials, the role of consumers, and the impact of renewable energy development on resource conflicts. Each chapter deals with a specific issue that characterizes the interdependency between critical raw materials and renewable energies by examining case studies from a particular conceptual perspective. The book is a resource for students and researchers from the social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering, as well as interdisciplinary scholars interested in the field of renewable energies, the circular economy, recycling, transport, and mining. The book is also of interest to policymakers in the fields of renewable energy, recycling, and mining, professionals from the energy and resource industries, as well as energy experts and consultants looking for an interdisciplinary assessment of critical materials. Provides a comprehensive overview of key issues related to the nexus between renewable energy and critical raw materials Explores interdisciplinary perspectives from the natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences Discusses critical strategies to address the nexus from a practitioner's perspective
Delivering Energy Law and Policy in the EU and the US
Author : Raphael J. Heffron
Publisher :
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 18,64 MB
Release : 2016
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 9780748696789
Book Description
From evaluating policy delivery on wind farms in Texas in the US, to developing nuclear power in the Middle East, this book presents fresh thinking on key concepts and ideas on energy law and policy delivery. The contributors write from a range of perspectives, including the sciences, law, politics, economics and engineering.
Providing for energy efficiency in homes and small buildings
Author : American Association for Vocational Instructional Materials
Publisher :
Page : 94 pages
File Size : 46,4 MB
Release : 1980
Category : Buildings
ISBN :
Book Description
Energy Sprawl Solutions
Author : Joseph M. Kiesecker
Publisher : Island Press
Page : 194 pages
File Size : 12,3 MB
Release : 2017-06-15
Category : Nature
ISBN : 1610917227
Book Description
Over the next several decades, as human populations grow, the demand for energy will soar. But renewable energy sources have a large energy sprawl--the amount of land needed to produce energy--which can threaten biodiversity. In Energy Sprawl Solutions, scientists Joseph M. Kiesecker and David Naugle provide a roadmap for preserving biodiversity despite the threats of energy sprawl. Their strategy--development by design--identifies and sets aside land where biodiversity can thrive while consolidating development in areas with lower biodiversity value. This contributed volume features case studies from countries around the world, each describing a different energy sector and the way they have successfully maximized biodiversity protection. This book provides a needed guide for elected officials, industry representatives, NGOs and community groups who have a stake in sustainable energy-development planning.
Energy Services Fundamentals and Financing
Author : David Borge-Diez
Publisher : Academic Press
Page : 346 pages
File Size : 25,65 MB
Release : 2020-10-30
Category : Technology & Engineering
ISBN : 0128226676
Book Description
Energy Services Fundamentals and Financing, first volume of the Energy Services and Management series, provides a global view of energy services schemes and practices. The book discusses the role of energy services within the larger energy landscape and explores key technical aspects of energy systems for power, heating and cooling, including renewable energy systems and combined heat and power. The book analyzes energy efficiency in several electrical devices, such as motors, lighting and vehicles. It then examines actual energy services business models and policy, before presenting a quick reference section that includes key models and calculations. Provides an innovative approach to the fundamental aspects related with energy services, including technology implementation and financial schemes Discusses tools to measure process efficiency and sustainability in power and heating applications Includes case studies, models and calculations, both technical and financial, as well as downloadable data for simulation and modeling
Energy Transitions
Author : Vaclav Smil
Publisher : Bloomsbury Publishing USA
Page : 190 pages
File Size : 39,58 MB
Release : 2010-05-26
Category : Science
ISBN : 031338178X
Book Description
This bold and controversial argument shows why energy transitions are inherently complex and prolonged affairs, and how ignoring this fact raises unrealistic expectations that the United States and other global economies can be weaned quickly from a primary dependency on fossil fuels. Energy transitions are fundamental processes behind the evolution of human societies: they both drive and are driven by technical, economic, and social changes. In a bold and provocative argument, Energy Transitions: History, Requirements, Prospects describes the history of modern society's dependence on fossil fuels and the prospects for the transition to a nonfossil world. Vaclav Smil, who has published more on various aspects of energy than any working scientist, makes it clear that this transition will not be accomplished easily, and that it cannot be accomplished within the timetables established by the Obama administration. The book begins with a survey of the basic properties of modern energy systems. It then offers detailed explanations of universal patterns of energy transitions, the peculiarities of changing energy use in the world's leading economies, and the coming shifts from fossil fuels to renewable conversions. Specific cases of these transitions are analyzed for eight of the world's leading energy consumers. The author closes with perspectives on the nature and pace of the coming energy transition to renewable conversions.
Future Energy
Author : Trevor Letcher
Publisher : Elsevier
Page : 415 pages
File Size : 10,20 MB
Release : 2008-07-30
Category : Business & Economics
ISBN : 0080564879
Book Description
Future Energy will allow us to make reasonable, logical and correct decisions on our future energy as a result of two of the most serious problems that the civilized world has to face; the looming shortage of oil (which supplies most of our transport fuel) and the alarming rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide over the past 50 years (resulting from the burning of oil, gas and coal and the loss of forests) that threatens to change the world’s climate through global warming. Future Energy focuses on all the types of energy available to us, taking into account a future involving a reduction in oil and gas production and the rapidly increasing amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. It is unique in the genre of books of similar title in that each chapter has been written by a scientist or engineer who is an expert in his or her field. The book is divided into four sections: Traditional Fossil Fuel and Nuclear Energy Renewable Energy Potentially Important New Types of Energy New Aspects to Future Energy Usage Each chapter highlights the basic theory and implementation, scope, problems and costs associated with a particular type of energy. The traditional fuels are included because they will be with us for decades to come - but, we hope, in a cleaner form. The renewable energy types includes wind power, wave power, tidal energy, two forms of solar energy, bio-mass, hydroelectricity, geothermal and the hydrogen economy. Potentially important new types of energy include: pebble bed nuclear reactors, nuclear fusion, methane hydrates and recent developments in fuel cells and batteries. Written by experts in the key future energy disciplines from around the globe Details of all possible forms of energy that are and will be available globally in the next two decades Puts each type of available energy into perspective with realistic, future options
Escaping the Energy Poverty Trap
Author : Michael Aklin
Publisher : MIT Press
Page : 345 pages
File Size : 39,37 MB
Release : 2018-12-04
Category : Political Science
ISBN : 0262349310
Book Description
The first comprehensive political science account of energy poverty, arguing that governments can improve energy access for their citizens through appropriate policy design. In today's industrialized world, almost everything we do consumes energy. While industrialized countries enjoy all the amenities of modern energy, more than a billion people in the developing world still lack energy access. Why is energy poverty persistent in some countries and not in others? Offering the first comprehensive political science account of energy poverty, Escaping the Energy Poverty Trap explores why governments have or have not been able to lead in providing modern energy to their least advantaged citizens. Focusing on access to modern cooking fuels and household electrification, the authors develop a new political-economic theory that introduces government interest, institutional capacity, and local accountability as key determinants of energy access. They draw on case studies from India, East Asia, Africa, and Latin America to offer the optimistic conclusion that governments can improve institutional capacity and local accountability through appropriate policy design. Energy poverty is a policy problem, the authors assert, and engaging with it as such offers new opportunities not only for ensuring equal energy access, but also for political, economic, and environmental development.
