Biofuels, Solar and Wind as Renewable Energy Systems

Benefits and Risks
2008
ISBN: 978-1-4020-8653-3
Verlag: Springer Netherlands

Buch, Englisch, 504 Seiten, Format (B × H): 160 mm x 241 mm, Gewicht: 1048 g

The petroleum age began about 150 years ago. Easily available energy has s- ported major advances in agriculture, industry, transportation, and indeed many diverse activities valued by humans. Now world petroleum and natural gas s- plies have peaked and their supplies will slowly decline over the next 40–50 years until depleted. Although small amounts of petroleum and natural gas will remain underground, it will be energetically and economically impossible to extract. In the United States, coal supplies could be available for as long as 40–50 years, depending on how rapidly coal is utilized as a replacement for petroleum and natural gas. Having been comfortable with the security provided by fossil energy, especially petroleum and natural gas, we appear to be slow to recognize the energy crisis in the U. S. and world. Serious energy conservation and research on viable renewable - ergy technologies are needed. Several renewable energy technologies already exist, but sound research is needed to improve their effectiveness and economics. Most of the renewable energy technologies are in uenced by geographic location and face problems of intermittent energy supply and storage. Most renewable technologies require extensive land; a few researchers have even suggested that one-half of all land biomass could be harvested in order to supply the U. S. with 30% of its liquid fuel! Some optimistic investigations of renewable energy have failed to recognize that only 0. 1% of the solar energy is captured annually in the U. S.

Zielgruppe

Research

Autoren/Hrsg.

Pimentel, D.

Fachgebiete

• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Alternative und erneuerbare Energien
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Windkraftanlagen, Wasserkraftanlagen
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Wirtschaftssektoren & Branchen Energie- & Versorgungswirtschaft Energiewirtschaft: Alternative & Erneuerbare Energien
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Solarenergie, Photovoltaik
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Geothermale Energie
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltmanagement, Umweltökonomie
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Internationale Wirtschaft Entwicklungsökonomie & Emerging Markets
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Energietechnik & Elektrotechnik
• Geowissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften Umweltwissenschaften
• Technische Wissenschaften Energietechnik | Elektrotechnik Biogasanlagen, Energie aus Biomasse

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Renewable and Solar Energy Technologies: Energy and Environmental Issues.- Can the Earth Deliver the Biomass-for-Fuel we Demand?.- A Review of the Economic Rewards and Risks of Ethanol Production.- Subsidies to Ethanol in the United States.- Peak Oil, EROI, Investments and the Economy in an Uncertain Future.- Wind Power: Benefits and Limitations.- Renewable Diesel.- Complex Systems Thinking and Renewable Energy Systems.- Sugarcane and Ethanol Production and Carbon Dioxide Balances.- Biomass Fuel Cycle Boundaries and Parameters: Current Practice and Proposed Methodology.- Our Food and Fuel Future.- A Framework for Energy Alternatives: Net Energy, Liebig’s Law and Multi-criteria Analysis.- Bio-Ethanol Production in Brazil.- Ethanol Production: Energy and Economic Issues Related to U.S. and Brazilian Sugarcane.- Ethanol Production Using Corn, Switchgrass and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean.- Developing Energy Crops for Thermal Applications: Optimizing Fuel Quality, Energy Security and GHG Mitigation.- Organic and Sustainable Agriculture and Energy Conservation.- Biofuel Production in Italy and Europe: Benefits and Costs, in the Light of the Present European Union Biofuel Policy.- The Power Density of Ethanol from Brazilian Sugarcane.- A Brief Discussion on Algae for Oil Production: Energy Issues.

Über Autor(innen)

David Pimentel is a professor of ecology and agricultural sciences at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-0901. His Ph.D. is from Cornell University. His research spans the fields of energy, ecological and economic aspects of pest control, biological control, biotechnology, sustainable agriculture, land and water conservation, and environmental policy. Pimentel has published more than 600 scientific papers and 25 books and has served on many national and government committees including the National Academy of Sciences; President’s Science Advisory Council; U.S Department of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare; Office of Technology Assessment of the U.S. Congress; and the U.S. State Department.